Dyeing Naturally - Hibiscus

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.

Natural Dyes - Leaf Dye

Oak Leaf Print

 Below is one of my photographs
that I transferred onto one
of my eco dyed pieces

I extracted dye from leaves that
I picked up in my backyard. Most
of the leaves are from the fall
2 years ago. The colors are still
vibrant! 

 Even the cotton doily, thread and
lace came out very good. 

 Oak bark with some printed leaves.
The other print picked up the string
marks that I wrapped around the bark.

 I made some sample packs -
these are all for sale in my 
Etsy shop here
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaterialisticVisions?section_id=16846026&ref=shopsection_leftnav_5 

 There are also more sets available.

@ Materialistic Visions.

Thanks for visiting!

Naturally Dyed - Eco Dye

A couple of years ago I started

to dye fabric with plant material.

Many of them were dyed with fallen

leaves or leaves that I took off

some of the trees in my backyard.

It's very addicting! So I decided

to destash and sell some pieces

in my Etsy shop. 

 The plum colors were dyed with the

fallen leaves and the deep beige color 

is from Oak. The doily came out great!


Crochet doily 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"
other pieces measure
9" x 12", 11 1/2" x 13", 8" x 10 1/2"

Great pieces for your fiber art, slow cloth,

Boro cloth or art quilt.

 I made a needle case with some of 

the fabric.

 And a zippered pouch.

Have fun creating!