Thursday 12 July 2007

Rust Dyeing

This shows the four pieces I have coloured using Mags free tutorial on the Fiber & Stitch on line magazine home page. Mags says the recipe is half a cup of malt vinegar and half a cup of salt. The fabric I used was a peachey/flesh colour and the vinegar was at least five years old! The salt was only about six months old. I dampened the fabrics and wrapped them up individually around a VERY rusty chunky chain (top right) a chain ring (top left) some bits of hand made hinges and a hand made nail (bottom right) and some chain links and a wire from a Champagne cork (bottom left)

I laid them all in old enamel grill pan, poured the vinegar over, melted the salt as best I could with boiling water and poured and spooned (!) this on the fabrics. I then put it all in a thick see'through polythene bag to keep air out and put it in the greenhouse - and promptly forgot about it. Six days or so later I turned them over, some pieces on top of others, then about four days later (last night) I washed them out. I was amazed to see this thick glorious oily coloured stuff on the fabric, but unfortunately it all washed off. Just as well really, as I imagine if it didn't the fabric would have rotted away eventually. It may still do that, but in the meantime I am quite excited with what I achieved. Thanks Mags.!


6 comments:

bookwraps by suz.com said...

Val-your rustys are wonderful! isn't it a fun project? ... I love rusting fabric! what are you planning on making with them?

Purple Missus said...

Be careful Val, be very careful!!!
Rust dyeing is very addictive :)

Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours.

Doreen G said...

Way to go Val--stop while you have a chance or else you will rust everything in sight.
I have a friend who rusted a white
gypsy style gathered skirt and it looks fantastic.

Papoosue said...

Wow! what a result eh? I'm definitely doing this soon!! Could be addictive as Purple Missus says.

Alis Clair said...

Great rust fabrics.
Isn't it fun? Half the fun though is searching for rusty things ;0)

Susan D said...

Wow they are great, what are you going to do with them.