Tag: purple dye

1st Session Logwood Dye Bath - deep violet result on Ahimsa Silk

SHIBORI STITCH RESIST

Rows of loose stitched threads are pulled tight as much as possible, before dyeing, creating a ruched area which creates a resist against dye penetration.

SHIBORI STITCH TECHNIQUE RESULT

Strength of dye penetration resulted in most of the white lines being dyed, so I applied more motifs with fabric bleach, which gave an interesting partial fade result.  (to be revisited).

Note: Shibori works well if fabric excluded enough from dye bath - so use thick embroidery silks or string type thread. Simple cotton thread was not thick enough.

DEEP VIOLET DYED SILK achieved.  I expected lilac, so I used too much dried logwood. Experiment with dried dyestuff quantities.

Resisted white outlines of leaf vein and butterfly edging needed definition.  Gutta resist outlines were applied to contain more colour.

Unfortunately, the steamer ran dry and fabric burned with burnt newspaper inside foil wrapping. Be careful to watch water level after so much work!  Always experiment before embarking on any large scale project.

Two Logwood dye sessions with very different results

The second session produced a pleasing lilac background with motif of nigella seed pod, butterflies, banana leaves and textured background. The 'daubed' shapes are the result of using a long brush end.

Logwood Dye bath - Session TWO

Batik preparation experimentation

The dye mixture was weaker, the natural pigment much depleted, having been absorbed into first soaked fabric, so a subtle result of lilac-beige silk texture after wax removal and washing out.

Applying bees wax design motifs and texture to silk, with brush end and brushes. (My first ever batik!)

• Use water solluable pen to draw design outlines.
• Keep heating up the wax so that it forms a good resist.  The centre area which was applied hottest, came off easily when ironed.  Feint brush marks do not give enough solid cover as a resist to the dye.

Removing Wax from silk

• Place thick type brown parcel paper over silk and wax; iron several times, with fresh paper each time and hot iron.
• When no more wax comes off, turn over and repeat, to be sure.
• Wash silk in hand hot soapy water.   Any stubborn waxy stickyness can be scrubbed very lightly with a soft brush, to loosen.
• NOTE: wax batiking in this way for fashion, is not ideal on Ahimsa silk I used, which is like cotton and absorbed wax. Canvas would be a firmer base for general artwork where it wouldn't matter if some residue of wax remains in fabric.

Silk was used in new dress 'Butterflies and Pansies' to be added to ETSY shop.  [Dress site page under construction]