Solar Dyeing ~

Hooker friend Sheila inspired me to try a bit of solar dyeing while the temperatures are soaring with plenty of sunshine.  She sent me the directions last year but was kind enough to send them again so I wouldn't have to hunt for them.

As usual, I tried to rush the start (wanted to visit a few antique shops), so rather than mix up a new dye color or two, just used dye that I had previously mixed.  My recipes are from the Emma Lou Lais/Barbara Carroll dye book, "Antique Colours for Primitive Rugs" using Cushing acid dyes.  My #26 bronze green seemed a little thick and #85 Emma Lou's putty/old was a little shy of the 1/4 cup I planned on using.

Here is the wool I started out with.

Here are the results.

A couple of the greens are bright for me so they will probably go back in the dye pot at some point.

There is such a difference in the old putty.  Some is a great tan, some has a purple cast to it.

I am just amazed at how easy it is to solar dye.  Here are the instructions.

What you need ~

• Large glass jars with top.  You can also use black garbage bags.  If you don't have a lid, cover with aluminum foil
• Dye.  I used Cushing acid dye
• White vinegar
• Wool, yarn, roving, etc.  Says it only works with animal fibers
• Boiling water

Pre-soak what you are dyeing.  I soaked my wool overnight.

Fill the jar about 1/3 with boiling water and 1/2 cup vinegar. 

Dye may be added at this point or poured over the top for a more graduated color.

Add your wool and pack firmly.

Fill the jar with boiling water.

Place the lid on and put the jar outside in a location where it will get the most sun.

At the end of the day, it is done, though I did leave mine outside for about a day and a half.

Rinse and hang to dry or rinse in the washer and place in the dryer with a fluffy towel.  It dries very quickly.

**What I would do differently**

The wool came out much more mottled than I would prefer and some areas didn't seem to have absorbed dye at all.  I would not pack the wool in the jar as tightly and I would shake the jar to distribute the dye more evenly. 

And what did I get at the antique shop?  A sweet footwarmer.

Damage on the top tin . . .

. . . and missing it's door, so reasonably priced.

I'm definitely NOT a purist.

My collection now numbers four.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren