15
Sep
Walnut Husks Dyed Silk-2
Picked from beneath a walnut tree, these still have their skins or 'husks' around them; some damp and old from lying, but all will have pigment.
Soak walnut husks with walnuts in, including broken husk pieces, in water for two days. Boil and simmer for 30 mins and leave soaking for another two days. Boil again to reheat and leave to cool to reach hand hot only for silk soaking. Remove husks and decant liquid to bowl.
Add wet silk pieces which absorb dye immediatelyu Agitate frequently during peak absorption, then soak overnight for assured depth of colour.
Silk takes up the brown dye bath quickly but keep turning and agitating occasionally while soaking. (Don't boil Ahimsa silk as it would roughen surface) Soaking for an hour is adequate for obtaining a gold colour, but lengthy soaking increases the depth towards coffee brown. There is a lot of pigment left in the dye bath so dye can be stored in jars. Fill to brim to avoid mould forming. it could also be used to add to other cream or gold dye pots to strengthen or darker tone. (not experimented yet)
The wet colour is much darker then when dry, so bear in mind before removing from dye bath early. It is always 50% darker when wet.
