After our first experiment with natural tie-dyeing, back in March (2011) with onion skins/peels, we really want to try again, with another plant. I wanted to try with something that'd grow abundantly here, and seasonal of course. So (wild) fennel came automatically to my mind, because it grows as wild & abundantly here as queen anne's lace in Ontario ! (ah !) You can see here that we have already dyed with fennel (foeniculum vulgare) several times, at different stages of growth, and with different parts of the plant.
This time, we used the tops, and parts of the stems. Almost all plant actually. We had mordanted our (organic cotton) tee shirts with alum. I used rubber bands for P's Tshirt & mine, and also marbles, for U's Tshirt. Chris got another Tshirt dyed with another plant. (coming soon)
This was in the dye pot ...
And this is my Tshirt, right out of the pot ... folded, then unfolded
And these are the three Tshirts, dry & ironed. Mine, P's & then U's.
The last photos don't do justice. The yellow isn't really bright but it's still a nice one. Still very sunny, but it doesn't look so on these last photos.
I'm looking forward to tie dyeing with other clothes & other plants ! It's exciting !
oxox
S
nicely done! i'm enjoying looking through your dye experiments.
Posted by: liane | August 23, 2011 at 01:11 PM
What sunny goodness! I'm sure they smell good too!
Posted by: nicole | August 23, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Beautiful! That's exactly how I folded my curtain panel yesterday! I love the pattern and the color you got on all three.
Posted by: Geninne | August 23, 2011 at 08:10 PM
I bet that becomes really addictive, to see how the patterns and colours turn out.
Find it fascinating that you use natural things to dye with too. Love that. So traditional.
have a lovely evening my friend. Hope your weather cools soon. Have told the rain to drift your way xxx
Posted by: sadie | August 23, 2011 at 11:14 PM
I just did some dyeing with black walnut shells and your tye-dyeing project immediately popped into my mind. As soon as I find some t-shirts I'm going to try this for the kiddies. Yours turned out beautifully! xoxo
Posted by: Lisa at lil fish studios | August 24, 2011 at 04:04 AM
looks so wonderful sonia
I can't wait to see them modeled
Posted by: margie oomen | August 24, 2011 at 05:42 AM
beeeautiful! i love that shade of yellow.
Posted by: melissa | August 24, 2011 at 09:26 AM
That yellow is stunning. What a fantastic job you did - the patterns are wonderful!
Posted by: joanie | August 24, 2011 at 12:44 PM
These make me want to try tie dyeing.
Posted by: tara | August 25, 2011 at 08:09 PM