In my previous post; I talked about
Natural dyeing with Hibiscus flowers.
The results that I found after doing a
google search; always shows the results
as pink color.
This is my second attempt.
I soaked my fabric in distilled water
and alum. Did a quick Tie dye method
of wrapping the fabric and put it into
the pretty dark pink dye water ( after
extracting the dye from dried hibiscus
flowers)
I just heated the dye water and left
the fabric in over night.
This is what it looked like in the morning.
(I took the photo on my deck; so the bright
spots are from the sun)
It's a very pretty pink!
Dried and Ironed it.
Filled the sink with distilled water.....
gone is the pink and it's back to the grey again.
It's just not working.
If anyone knows of a way to retain the pink
color after washing - please let me know.
Otherwise, my conclusion is that hibscuis
flowers does not make a pretty pink but a
grey.
I have been reading a couple of blogs
that have dyed fabric with Hibiscus (dried)
flowers.
I loved the results that they were getting with
the pink to rose colors.
I googled to find other web sites that told
you what colors you can achieve with certain
plants, flowers et. Hibiscus was always
listed as a pink.
I followed one blog's instruction using
vinegar to soak the fabric.
I first placed the flower heads in a
nylon stocking secured with a rubber band
at one end. This way I won't have to strain it.
I also used my tap water.
I lightly boil my Hibiscus flowers in a stainless
steel pot (only used for this purpose) and
I start to see a nice beautiful almost red
color. Now I'm excited and place my fabric;
which I just did a quick shibori tie in
4 places.
I had the heat on low for about 2 hours,
shut off and left over night.
Took out the fabric and let it dry completely
and gave it a light iron.
Here's what it looked like
It's pretty and pink!
I then put it in water with a light detergent
and then my heart sunk. It had turned a bluish
grey!
It's still pretty but not pink!
I belong to an eco dyeing group on FB and showed
the group what had happened and to ask if there
was something that I missed....??
Someone suggested that I use distilled water instead
of my tap water. (good idea)
My next test to follow.
My point in putting this on my blog is that you
can't believe everything you read on the internet.
(including me) LOL
So the blogs that I saw with the pretty pink from
the hibiscus flowers probably didn't wash their
fabric. When they finally did I bet they got a
big surprise!
Back later on this week with the results of my next test.
