dyeing naturally
February 20, 2012
madder root
famous for red for centuries
I grow madder and have never been able to get a good strong red
there many recipes – I’ve tried most of them, maybe I don’t use enough dye material
it has been suggested that my soil needs correcting
it will be a red letter day when I get it right!
a weak dye bath on silk and linen
silk dyed with lac, logwood, madder and something ? yellow
blended on hand cards and spun into a 2 ply
a combination of the exhaust baths of lac, logwood and madder
some cotton thrums for stitching, an old doily, more silk and the cotton eyelet lace – I’m delighted that it wasn’t some kind of polyester blend.
and I tried some folded paper, not the right paper but it’s a great idea.
now it’s back to the loom.
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Dear Jean, I admire your work but you will have to explain what ‘curved cards’ means during our trip.
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Blandina – the wooden back of the fibre combs are slightly shaped/curved to fit comfortably when they rest on your thigh while you are carding/combing the silk – less expensive cards are flat and not as nice to work with.
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Oh, than you, there is so much for me to learn.
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er, too, that is!
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Velma – the cards with the curved backs are the best! I also have a drum carder which I seldom use, the hand cards are relaxing and a pleasure to use.
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yes, i have their drum carder (and cotton cards and a flick card) but my curved cards are well used, just lost in the the closet!
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I would to have a peek in that closet!
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it’s a lovely yarn, and i, to, have clemes and clemed cards…misplaced, but in the studio, for sure!
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I love this shade of red, smoky pink, I think! I love stitching with dyed threads. They seem to lift the cloth and the colour – Enjoy playing on the look – hugs Nat
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I’ll remember that “smoky pink” sounds lovely.
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