solar dyeing // v i t i s * v i n i f e r a

The south of France is a land of vineyards. It's not like Burgundy, but with the approximately 300 days of sun we get each year, grapes don't have too much difficulties to grow & get sweet & juicy. Because it grows a lot here, I though about grabbing a couple of red/dark grapes, to try solar dyeing with them. That's what I did. I picked the grapes (Vitis vinifera) you will see on the following photos, kept the "balls" only, filled a big jar with them, crushed them by hand (this part was fun, and believe me or not, not staining) and then put the (mordanted with alum) fibers in the jar & left them for 11 days.

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera // results

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera // results

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera // results

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera // results

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera // results

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera // results

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera // results

solar dyeing // vitis vinifera // results

although I'm not a big fan of purple color, I must say that I fell in love with this one !

one other reasons why I love dyeing with plants ! I'm rediscovering each color, each difference in a same hue. I've always enjoyed each & every color of the world, but I'm loving even more now I know how to get them naturally.

Comments

  1. Beautiful! Solar dying gives so many interesting tones and prints of one colour!

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  2. Thank you so much! How much mordant did you use? I have now idea about natural dyeing but would love to try...

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  3. Beautiful colour? Did it last though? I've heard it's quite fugitive so I'm very curious to know how your colours fared.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks ! Well since I've kept it protected from sunlight it did last, but I don't think it will last long if left out unprotected from sunlight.

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  4. Have you tried it on silk? Do you agitate the jars during the 11 days? When you pull it out of the jar, do you let it air dry before rinsing?

    ReplyDelete

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