Deborah12687

I have never used natural dies from flowers and wondering if anyone here has done it. Is it better to use vinager or salt to set the die. My morning glories went wild this summer and I still have 100's of blossoms. Every time I walk by them I get a stain of purple on my clothes. It gave me a idea of taking the blossoms cut them in half and press the morning glories right on the fabric. They are a beautiful deep purple with a hot pink centers. Can anyone give me some pointers? I want to make a table runner for my table and crochet a boarder around it.

amma

Here is another option for getting the color onto your block, and it explains how to prepare fabric for dyeing too. :D:D:D
What it doesn't explain, is how to make it permanent though :(

http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/flower-pounding/index.html

Deborah12687

Thank you so much Amma this will work for what I wanted to do. I wonder if I would spray the fabric with salt water then pound the flowers on the fabric and let it dry in the sun.

redkimba

you can try using vinegar or buy some synthrapol from Dharma Trading Company:

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/en...chemicals.html

I used the synthrapol after tie-dying some dresses.

ckcowl

vinegar is effective if you are using some sort of acid dye, i don't know if it would be of any benifit using natural dyes. one of the keys to dyeing success is to prepare your fabrics to accept the dyes. pre-wash with detergent (if you are not using PFD fabrics) then soak the fabric in a soda-ash water solution. using plant dyes takes some time...it is important to give it time to 'cure'.
we have boiled walnuts for dyes; my mom and i have done some pressed flower dyeing. the best results were when we let it set for 24-48 hours. then we rinsed in cold water...dried the fabric then heat set it and let it set for another 24 hours. then tossed them into the wash. most turned out very well. a couple (reds) that i came up with didn't do so well...red is a tough color faded quite a bit to a dusty rose, but the purples really came out good and so did yellows. good luck and have fun with it. everytime i dye new fabrics i am amazed and thrilled with what comes out. always a pleasant surprise :)

CarrieAnne

Ive dyed yarn with natural stuff before, with my kids! It was alot of fun, and really messy! I got some books from the library to learn. We used onions, wild grapes, walnuts....

dsb38327

I think we have had some post on this. I didn't search but there may be some information you will enjoy if you want to. You will get lots of good information from those of us who are logged on to respond in your post but as time goes there are members who may have updated a post that are not logged in or are no longer active on the board. I do remember reading one post that was very interesting. The best for you.