fennel tie dye

After our first experiment with natural tie-dyeing, back in March (2011) with onion skins/peels, we really want to try again, with another plant. I wanted to try with something that'd grow abundantly here, and seasonal of course. So (wild) fennel came automatically to my mind, because it grows as wild & abundantly here as queen anne's lace in Ontario ! (ah !) You can see here that we have already dyed with fennel (foeniculum vulgare) several times, at different stages of growth, and with different parts of the plant.

This time, we used the tops, and parts of the stems. Almost all plant actually. We had mordanted our (organic cotton) tee shirts with alum. I used rubber bands for P's Tshirt & mine, and also marbles, for U's Tshirt. Chris got another Tshirt dyed with another plant. (coming soon)

This was in the dye pot ...

fennel tie dyeing

fennel tie dyeing

And this is my Tshirt, right out of the pot ... folded, then unfolded

fennel tie dyeing

fennel tie dyeing

And these are the three Tshirts, dry & ironed. Mine, P's & then U's.

fennel tie dyeing

fennel tie dyeing

fennel tie dyeing

The last photos don't do justice. The yellow isn't really bright but it's still a nice one. Still very sunny, but it doesn't look so on these last photos.

I'm looking forward to tie dyeing with other clothes & other plants ! It's exciting !

oxox

S

Comments

  1. Hi Sonia

    I'm so glad to see you are still enjoying your dyeing experiments. I too must get back to it again. I've been so busy lately with other things but did a little with red cabbage ... did you see on flickr ...

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovestitchingred/6064373567/

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  2. I've just discovered your blog and have enjoyed seeing your dye results. I am a rug hooker who uses wool and am curious why you don't include that fiber in your work - it's very satisfactory! Last summer I dyed some wool with marigolds and it was glorious! Thanks for all your information!

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  3. @ Carolyn : oh yes I'm still enjoying my experiments, more than ever ! I'll go visit you ASAP ! Thanks for stopping by !

    @ Gayle : you are right, I had not dyed wool, not by lack of interest, but because I thought I didn't have any on hand. I wish I had wool felt, I need to "thrift" (they don't exist in France) a white/cream/ecru wool blanket ASAP. This said, I have dyed a woolly fabric for my last two dyes. (to be shown) Thanks for stopping by !

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  4. Your tie-dye is gorgeous! My boyfriend's sister and I are doing a fennel-top dye bath tomorrow. :)

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