Solar Dyed Silks

I was recently given some lovely white playsilks and it got me thinking... natural dyes... hmmm... what colors we could create? 

 I researched the possibilities and choose the simplest ways I could find. 

Here is what we came up with...

 ~ Sunshine yellow ~

 and lilac purple ~ perfect spring colors!

Here’s what you’ll need

For Yellow....

3/4 cup of turmeric powder

Large pot 

Water

White Playsilk

Jar

Sun

In the process of my research I found that Turmeric is a natural direct dye  and does not need any fixative at all.  Good stuff!  I also learned that apparently this is one of the ways the monks in Tibet dye their  beautiful yellow  robes.

First fill your dye pot half full of water and bring this to a boil.

Add the turmeric powder and continue boiling for an hour.

Pour your tumeric concoction into a jar and add your silk scarf. 

Place in the sun.

Let the solar rays do their work (for about one hot day)

Rinse the scarf until the water runs clear.

Dry and enjoy!

For Purple...

1/2 a purple cabbage 

1/2 cup White Vinegar (your fixative for your purple dye)

Water

Large pot 

White playsilk

Knife

Cutting board

Sun

Chop the cabbage.

Add the vinegar to the cabbage and add enough water to cover the cabbage.

Bring the pot to a boil, and then turn down the heat to simmer it until the cabbage starts losing its color. 

When the cabbage has lost most of its color strain it.... keeping the water.

Place your cabbage water and silk scarf into a jar and place  in the sun.

Wait patiently as magic happens.

Rinse, dry and...

put into the hands of little people ready to play!

In the spirit of sunshine and Lilacs
~ Shanti ~




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