I visited the Australian Tapestry Workshop last week. I needed to buy some yarns for an upcoming challenge for our local group. While I was there I had a look at the exhibitions.
There was one that asked people to take a small piece of fabric, pre-mordanted in a circle. We are asked to find some plant dye from our local postal code, dye the fabric and return it. Once it is returned it will be cut in half and one part will kept for records and the other will be used in an artwork.
I have walked along a small laneway recently - while out with the dog. There was a lot of mess on the ground, fallen lilly pills berries. I came home and looked up whether they could be used for dyeing. Apparently so!
Today I went back and cut down some of the berries overhanging the lane.
I'm not sure what the mordant used on the fabric is but I thought I might as well give it a go. I will read the instructions again just to be sure that I have read it all properly.
I have looked up some sites and will give it a go tomorrow- it seems that I shouldn't need a lot of berries so I will possibly have a go with some of the small bits of fabric that I have. First though, I will do the task.
I'm hoping that it may revive my interest in fabric dyeing and then finding a use for the pieces.
I also read that the leaves can be used. So I am keeping them and hope to experiment with them soon,
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