I’m going to make a second sewn-over-straps book. The first used yellow onion skins on the cover, this one will use red. I procrastinated dyeing this paper because the dyeing process all seemed like too much, but then one day I just got up and did it. Took photos too.
Wetting paper in one of those plastic spinach tubs at right. Making the dye sandwich with tile, parchment paper, onion skin, more paper, onion skin paper, etc. at left. (The paper is Arches Text Wove.) Another piece of parchment at the end. I think it helps prevent sticking. Top tile to finish the sandwich, then some bundling with twine. Into the turkey roaster for a few hours. I added some vinegar to the water as Marti suggested. Results, partially dry. Dyeing paper is so amazing. There are some green tones in there. They will make nice covers.
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In garden news, we finished spreading hay mulch today except for the flower beds. I harvested three red cabbage. Snow is in the forecast later this week.
Red Cabbage
And I love these little British soldiers growing along the wood frame of our compost heap. They are really flourishing.
You have achieved such wonderful results, markings that I so love. I’ve never dyed paper but have spent many a happy hour with red onion skins, copper pot, a splash of vinegar and cloth and have gotten similar results but also when I have just loaded my copper pot with red onion skins, water and vinegar, heated for a short time and left outside for a few days, voila! without cloth in the pot, the most wonderful green color has magically appeared. Then I pull out the skins, leaving just the dyed liquid, put my cloth into the pot, let it live there for a few days and it turns into such gorgeous green cloth.
You have achieved such wonderful results, markings that I so love. I’ve never dyed paper but have spent many a happy hour with red onion skins, copper pot, a splash of vinegar and cloth and have gotten similar results but also when I have just loaded my copper pot with red onion skins, water and vinegar, heated for a short time and left outside for a few days, voila! without cloth in the pot, the most wonderful green color has magically appeared. Then I pull out the skins, leaving just the dyed liquid, put my cloth into the pot, let it live there for a few days and it turns into such gorgeous green cloth.
Ooh, exciting. I want to try that!
hmmmm … I’ll bet those red cabbage leaves would makes some lovely marks as well … but I’m thinking the colors are probably fugitive
Yes … and yes. I don’t often dye with fugitive stuff, too disappointing to have it fade away.