Bundle Dyeing Seeds and Flowers Workshop

Bundle dyed silk samples were created at Flora's Bundle Dye Workshop in Forde Abbey Gardens

Petals and seeds over silk sprayed with vinegar

Thin silk above, and thicker silk below; these petals and seeds will produce purple, lilac, red and pink dyed areas.

Spreading petals and seeds on to silk.  Their dye spreads out on the immediate area after steaming.

Fold silk over in triangular folds, then roll tightly.  Wrap tightly with string to hold together in the steam pan.

Video display of samples.

My bundles kept overnight, steamed next day; allowing time for dye impregnation.

My sample, after steaming; strong madder and hollyhock dye colour on thin silk.

Thicker silk gives less strong colour results; lilac, purple, ocre, using the simple method.  The seed remains are visible before washing.  Silk sampling is with ad-hoc arrangement of colours.  If fabric had a resist paste or melted wax in some places, the dye would not penetrate and that would make a design left in white.

Plant dye workshop I attended to make my samples was run by Flora Arbuthnott at Forde Abbey Garden Festival 2017.  Details of flora's work and workshops below:-

Natural dyeing, bundle dyeing, organic indigo dyeing, japanese shibori resist techniques, natural mordants, colour foraging Walks. http://wilddyegarden.co.uk/

Magazine feature http://www.floraarbuthnott.com/country-homes-interiors

Flora's 'Wild Dye Garden' on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilddyegarden/