Jar dyeing escapades

Jar dyeing threads is like the entry way to major dyeing efforts. It is so easy to start and then before I know it, I have a bunch of jars of dye stuff that I don’t want to waste. And I have to start some serious dyeing.

I’m happy with this collection of threads though. I will try weaving with them. The colors are so earthy and pleasant.

Most of the threads dyed are eight full arms’ lengths of Beautiful Silks cotton-silk blend, Y05. I learned about this thread from India Flint and I overenthusiastically bought a lot of thread that had to be shipped all the way from Australia.

Once I dye the initial colors, then I have to adjust the colors with additives to get more colors! In this case, I added some chalk, iron-vinegar solution, cream of tartar (CoT), and soda ash. It’s fun to have all these things on hand.

I just threw some fabric scraps into the jars to dye along with the threads. I particularly like the way the organza strip took up the yellow onion skin dye. And the lace square dipped in logwood got some nice dark gradient around the edges.