Another successful day of experimental natural dyeing. This time I was able to focus on the dying materials I wanted to use and collected from my yard, and play with the possible colors. Went through the same preparations of the yarns and silk samples as before; bundle, wash, dry, and mordant the fibers. Then I prepared 3 dye baths; Marigold flowers, Hibiscus , and Cochineal (which is extracted from the female cochineal bug, and yields a red color). I did have to purchase the “bugs”, as this kind is not available in my backyard. Beautiful results of reds, mauves, and golden yellows. I could play like this all day!! I also finished a sample weaving using the yarns I dyed in the previous batch. So many possibilities!!
