July 2018

July has mainly been about more studies and research into plant dyes - I have had another go at dyeing the cotton scarves I had, but the colour still isn't coming out too well.  I visited a dyeing event recently where the craft ladies doing the demonstrating all use acid and synthetic dyes, rather than natural plant dyes.   And they told me in no uncertain terms that plant dyes are more difficult to use, which sort of makes me more determined to crack it!

I have discovered however that animal products are easier than plant products to take dye, so I've ordered some silk scarves which arrived the day before I went on holiday.  So I'm going to have another go with the silk scarves and try again with the cotton ones at a later date.   The beauty is that I can dye and re-dye so nothing is ever wasted.

These are my attempts with Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Coffea arabica (coffee).   It's coming along, although very slowly, but we'll get there.

I visited a textiles fair last week in Bedford and got chatting to the Mulberry Dyer people - a company who produce natural dyes from plants and they were really helpful and didn't seem to mind all my stupid questions.   

More research needed!

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