colour from the sun
last weeks eco bundles. Couldn’t wait any longer, the hollyhock bundle looks good and they are almost finished blooming. If the result is worth it I’ll do another.
they were tightly packed in one jar, the colours have migrated between the bundles.
The other 2 bundles contain rose leaves and one is wrapped with an old piece of metal chain.
the hollyhocks, they may have been influenced by the iron in the chain. There is real blue!
personally, hope I don’t shock/upset anyone, but I’m still ambivalent about some of the eco dyeing results. 
some of my dye session clean-up cloths are more interesting. and some of it looks like the stains my Mom spent wash days trying to remove.
this is the rose leaves. I think most of the colour came from the hollyhocks and/or the chain.
but occasionally there is a surprise. This was the chain and rose leaves on a linen napkin. where the chain started to rust there is a definite colour change.
one note of caution. Iron can destroy fabric, I have rinsed very thoroughly.
and finally, my first bojagi piece is on its way to a new owner (you know who you are). I have started another piece.
all eco/solar dyed fabrics and yarn from last summer.
colours have been selected from the handwoven striped piece, the cotton warp was solar dyed with many of the linen napkins and the silk pieces.
the leaf print is a Japanese maple leaf.
www.onesmallstitch.Wordpress.com u 
i too am ambivalent about this dyeing method.although i’ve seen beautiful work i am concerned about its fastness. don’t think its for me.
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neki – as far as “fastness” goes it is no different than any other dye method, depends on the material used and mordanting/ dyeing methods.
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I think it depends entirely on what you want to be able to say about your work? For some people, the idea of “everything from the back yard” is more appealing than getting a particular color or effect. Others want to hit a particular note/color/emotion, and will follow whatever path they need to get there.
I’ve been enjoying your work, and your commentary – commenting here probably is the least I can do!
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perhaps we haven’t explored enough–if india were to reside here (n. america)for a growing season, say, i wonder what she might find…
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Eco dyeing is not for everyone. You are right eucalyptus leaves do give out fantastic colour and we are lucky to plenty of them here. I made a whole cloth out of my eco dyes fabric and I’m happy with it – thanks for being honest – Hugs Nat
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Yes, there are sometimes nice surprises, but most of my eco dye experiments look like someone has been sick on them. India Flint does manage to get exciting results but I suspect that is a result of long practise rather than dumb luck.
On the other hand, your bojagi cloth looks very promising!
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Heather, I wonder how much of the good results rely on the colour coming from eucalyptus and other Southern hemisphere dyes?
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It is interesting to hear you say you are somewhat ambivalent about the eco-dyeing results. I agree with your description of some results and I too have been loath to say so. 😉
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yes, it’s like the fable of the king in his new clothes – it took a child to speak the truth as they saw it. I’ve had a couple people tell me they feel the same way. Think I’ve done enough experimenting to be able to tell my truth on my blog. But it is fun and occasionally there is a nice surprise.
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