We're all going to dye

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We're all going to dye

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Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 05 8:47 am Post subject: We're all going to dye
Well, I am, when I get time. Just reading Cab's post about alkanet being a dyer's plant, meaning to sow some woad seeds we have left (might be a bit late for this year but worth a go). Has anyone experimented much with dyeing cloth, wool or anything else that springs to mind? What colour does alkanet give?

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 05 8:48 am Post subject: Re: We're all going to dye

Bugs wrote:

Well, I am, when I get time. Just reading Cab's post about alkanet being a dyer's plant, meaning to sow some woad seeds we have left (might be a bit late for this year but worth a go). Has anyone experimented much with dyeing cloth, wool or anything else that springs to mind?

What colour does alkanet give?

Can't remember offhand. It's used in soapmaking, so if you check out some soapers forums (uksoaping on yahoo is a biggie) you ought to get some good advice.

I tried that, was told to dig up the roots, rinse the soil off, chop them and soak them in oil. Got nothing

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 05 9:17 am Post subject:
Maybe I'm talking complete rubbish but remember watching a programme about the viking days and all colour extraction seemed to be done by boiling the particular vegetable?

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 05 1:59 pm Post subject:
What worries me about dying is the use of mordants. Will they damage my septic tank or cause problems if I rinse the dyed cloth in the stream (the best constant flow of clean water here)? I've got details of alkanet somewhere: I'll have to go and have a look in the library. I may be some time...

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 05 2:04 pm Post subject:

I've done a lot of dyeing over the years. You can get away with infinitely less mordant than most of the books suggest, and for most purposes a little alum and some salt works well. A few plants don't need a mordant at all, and others work very well if you use uringe (fresh or stale gives different results). Alkanet is pH sensitive, so you get different results depending on whether your dyebath is acid or alkali.I havent planted my woad yet either, but I reckon it will still do ok if I get it in soon.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 05 2:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that, Sally. I'll definitely have a go soon: I've got some unbleached linen I'd like to colour.

As for alkanet, I was spurred by the coincidence of a thread about an unidentified plant in the Chat sectio which turns out to be an alkanet. The dye plant is Anchusa officinalis, alkanet, which gives soft pin-brown when used with an acetic acid mordant or deep red with oil or alcohol. The other is evergreen alkanet, Pentaglottis sempervirens which is poisonous and useless apart from being pretty. The former flowers June-September while the latter is flowering now or soon will be until June. Phillips' Wild Flowers of Britain has excellent pictures of both and really should be on your bookshelf if it iwn's already!

Off to look for some dye plants.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 05 3:05 pm Post subject:
Bear in mind that linen is notorius for taking only a few dyes well. Would be worth doing very small experiments on some scraps first or all the lovely colour could vanish when you rinse.

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