Last Thursday our natural dye study group met to bundle leaves and cloth together, following the eco-print method developed and deeply researched by India Flint (and explained in her luscious book Eco Colour.) I had tried this on my own several times with disappointing results. But this time, persistence, patience (well – a little more), the chemistry of autumn leaves, along with the camaraderie of cohorts have conspired in my favor. I am delighted with these results!
No mordant used for the first simmer, approx. 1 hour in water. After a couple of days, I drizzled an alum solution (a pinch of alum dissolved in 100 ml hot water) over the bundle (edges, sides, etc. sort of randomly), and simmered it again (still bundled) in a weak walnut dye bath. After a couple of days wrapped in bubble wrap on my radiator, I then unwrapped it (so impatient!).
The leaves I used for all these results include: Canada red chokecherry (Prunus virginiana ‘Canada Red’), Red Mulberry (Morus rubra), Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), and Candymint Crabapple (Malus sargentii ‘Candymint’). After arranging the leaves in a layer I then sprinkled on the onion skins (yellow). With the exception of the wool scarf, I bundled 2 or 3 layers of fabric and leaves over a birch branch from my neighbors tree. All bundled tightly with string.
Above, 2 strips of silk over 2 strips of cotton muslin. The muslin had been soy sized some time ago and was put aside in my studio and forgotten about. I had played with natural dye extracts on the silk months ago, some pinks came from that. My meadow rue pattern was also printed with natural dye extracts. The 3 green leaf images near the top left are Chokecherry and Crab apple. The cotton is much more subdued, yet still lovely.
Not surprisingly, the Japanese Maple left a beautiful impression.
The onion skins made these pieces something special, I think. I especially enjoy the green of the Chokecherry with the rusty oranges.
(The Mulberry is one of my favorite leaf shapes.)
I am enticed by the rich, organic colors, the visual complexity, the sense of depth given by the layering of leaves and fabrics. So glad this is prime leaf collection season … I came home today with several varieties of Oak as well as more of the above. I look forward to playing with these techniques along with katazome materials and processes!
silver minnow 