Exploring natural dyes

     Some time ago (late January) I gathered some willow bark, disgusting walnut hulls from the summer and a few other odds and ends from the local environment and set about to experiment using local, environmentally friendly dyes. Today, after many weeks of drying slowly and growing all manner of mycelia, the bundles have been opened, washed and dried.

      Originally this large piece was going to be cut up to sew a little table covering featuring some Canada goose prints I made awhile ago, but now I don't think I could bear cutting it apart!

      Instead I am contemplating turning this smaller piece into a mixed media wall hanging; still with the goose print though. This way I wouldn't have to cut it apart, and I can learn some simple quilting skills as well.

      The technique I used was hobcobbled together from several sources and essentially boiled down to the following:
1. Collect desired dye material. I used willow bark and black walnut hulls. Cons of deciding to do this in the winter... A quick Google search will yield many results of plant materials and mordants/etc that you can find in your area.
2. Soak in a 1:1 solution of soy milk & water. Allow to dry. Repeat several times.
3. Tie up fabric as desired. I added several strips of bark or little pockets of coffee grounds.
4. Add more of the dye material to a pot (depending on what you're using you might want to pick up a cheap one from a Salvation Army or something) and boil the fabrics for a time. This will largely depend on what you want and how patient you are.
5. Remove from water and set aside in something to dry slowly. I've read that some people restrict it to three weeks. Experiment to see what yield the results you're looking for.
6. Untie and be disgusted by all of the mold that is growing on it. Don't lick it. Wash in hot soapy water and get all the icky off. It adds to the color and results in some really awesome patterns. (If you're allergic to mold however, I do recommend leaving  it in a covered container or outside)
7. Dry, iron and use.

      These two were at the bottom of the container I dried them in and stayed soggy longer. I'll definitely be making note of this!

So pretty <3

      I'm hoping to get some more experimenting done while I'm in Washington later this year (!!). I'd still like to sew a Flying Goose pattern thing at some point, and can see that needing some blues or greens...  And not to mention oranges and yellows for a honeycomb patterned quilt... This has opened while new doors for me :D