Natural Dyeing

I have done a bit of natural dyeing on fabric, but the area I have explored most is rust dyeing.

Rust Dyed Fabrics and Wallhanging made from some of them

It is quite straightforward to rust fabrics. I soak the fabric in a 50:50 solution of white vinegar and water (which encourages the metal item to rust), then either lay the rusty items on top of the fabric or wrap the fabric round them. I cover the fabric with plastic to stop it drying out and leave it for about a week.

Rusted Fabrics

9 inches by 9 inches - habotai silk

rusted fabric

24 inches by 10 inches - silk dupion

rusted fabric with clear image of old rusty key and pliers

Wallhanging - Dilapidation

I made this wallhanging with some of the rusted fabrics. It is a 3D wallhanging with curved edges formed by copper wire stitched on the reverse.

wallhanging using rusted fabrics in grid pattern and other collaged fabrics

Detail of stitching

detail of rusted fabric hanging

For more details and pictures of how the fabric is rusted and how I made this wallhanging, go to the Dyeing Category and Quilting Category of my blog.



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