Naturally Dyed Scarves, the tutorial!!!

 

Note

One the scarves we are using are the Habotai silk scarves and the size is 14"x72"

The deodorant is really an anti-antiperspirant, it has to have aluminum in it as a mordant to make the dye process work.  I prefer copper or metal wire as it leaves interesting markings on the scarf.

Hello, I finally decided to put together a tutorial on the way I do Naturally Dyed Scarves.  Our Sewing Guild was lucky enough to have a local gentleman give us lessons in his way and now I have put together a few of our own ideas from me and some guild members.

                                                       JUST CLICK PICS TO ENLARGE


Blank silk scarves are available from Dharma, I am using a 14"x72" scarf, all silk, hemmed and ready to go, very reasonably priced.  Cover your work surface with plastic, get together your supplies, white vinegar, red wine, veggies, teas, spices, blackberries, blue berries, concord grapes, coffee grounds, beets, beet juice, red cabbage, parsley, flowers, ferns, leaves.  Think in terms of what stains your clothes, red wine, spagetti sauce, grass, etc.  string, copper or metal wire, pennies, deodorant and gloves.  A hammer is good for pounding the color out of flowers or the image of green fern leaves.

Spray scarf with deodorant if not using wire, lay out scarf fill 1/2 with matter fold other half of scarf over the matter.

Roll and fold up scarf wrap with wire or string.  Fold and roll on the diagonal, straight whatever pleases you and wrap and roll and secure with the wire or string

This scarf is covered with shredded carrots which will give off a greenish color.  There is also tea and other spices fold the half over and place a few pennies on the scarf.


Roll up and wrap with the copper wire.

Place rolled up secured scarves in baggies, saturate with 1/2 plus cup of white vinegar.  Place baggie in another container in case it leaks.  Leave to soak for at least 3 days and for as long a 2 weeks, flip over to distribute the vinegar, rewrap the wire if you want, it's up to you.  I have found that 3 days is plenty as the longer it soaks the more muted it becomes.

Remove scarves from baggie, discard matter,( not on your grass, it kills the grass) in garbage can. Do not rinse the scarf at this point you are setting the stain. Hang the scarves somewhere the drips don't matter, if using bath tub you'll have to scrub.  Let dry a day or so. If you have a clothes line let it dry in the sun for a couple of days.  Hand wash in mild soap (like Ivory).


This is where it gets interesting,  press the scarves while they are wet on silk setting, they press out beautifully, the scarf done with the blackberries appears to be very pink when dried, then after washing it looks very purple and after it is pressed/dried it is lavendar with pink and purples, greens and copper wire lines.

                                                     This is the scarf done with the carrots, tea, wire etc.
                                                                                                             plus a closeup

                                       Scarf done with the blackberries, tea, wire, etc. and closeup




A few ways to wear your new scarves!!!

This is not rocket science and it's nearly impossible to give fool proof recipes for one color or another, I do know that instant coffee, coffee gounds, and dirt with be brown and nothing will over ride the brown, so you can't get purple or red once you have gone brown.  Personally I don't like brown so I wandered off to other colors, beets make  pink and red, carrots go for greens, black and blue berries navy, purple and blackish, strawberries yeild nothing.  Herbs like parsley, mint, basil work well, microwaving them first releases some more color.  I have tried to use this dye technique on cotton and it is not that great, so don't waste your time trying this on a t shirt etc.  Just use your imagination, check online and you'll have lots of fun!!!  This is a great project for all ages!!!

Email me your creations, love to see what you have come up with!!!!!