a l l i u m * c e p a

I've been dying (ahah) to dye with onions for a long time, but never got the opportunity. Of course, I don't use tons of onions myself. Some, but not THAT much, not enough for making a proper dye. BUT ... my mother-in-law does use tons of them, she's an amazing cook, and in fact she really uses lots & lots of them. So I asked her two months ago to save me the peels, and that's what she did, religiously. (yes, she's quite awesome & sweet)

and last week, I had enough to make a good dye.

I decided to mordant two pieces of silk, silk yarn, linen, and (new !) a small piece of cotton crochet lace, with alum. Then, I boiled the peels & it gave instantly a powerful dyebath.

look at that strong bath !

I can't believe how well the linen & cotton absorbed !! They didn't bleed that much, and the color is so vibrant, just perfect for autumn season. (which we are NOT, in the northern hemisphere !) I'll keep asking my MIL to save me the peels, and I hope I'll find something good to cook with lots of RED onions, so that I will try a new dye with them ! I'm hopeless, I know. :)