tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post4562112048923845397..comments2023-09-21T21:00:57.948+10:00Comments on Africanaussie: Botanical Fabric Dyeingafricanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-90235436838352960572021-06-21T17:41:41.024+10:002021-06-21T17:41:41.024+10:00I've seen indigo growing wild here. Not sure i...I've seen indigo growing wild here. Not sure if it's the classic indigo grown around the tropics, or the native one. And can't recognise it from all the other weeds and natives around the foreshore without my friend to point it out (duh!) and she moved back to Melbourne.<br /><br />But both would be worth trying where you are, I think. <br /><br />Also the henna! It's worth it for the scent of the flowers alone. Mmmm! And it grows naturally in a wet-dry tropics from what I gathered from research. I have mine in pots but learning that I;m considering just sticking it in the garden somewhere. And when it's big enough getting the orangey dye and trying to make it so it won't wash out. <br /><br />The indigo seeds are from ebay. But Henna grows very easily from hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. They look like they're a pain to try to germinate, but that might be in a temperate climate. <br />If you can't find some there and customs would allow I could send you a plant of it! I have a few extras!Tropical Threadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10577923650038624948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-13767867045124719512021-06-21T14:00:04.468+10:002021-06-21T14:00:04.468+10:00Oh that is interesting, if those grow in Darwin, I...Oh that is interesting, if those grow in Darwin, I might be able to grow them here too! I heard that indigo has quite a complicated process of fermenting before you can use it. I love anything circular, where you have a part in every process, so growing the dye I use is super special!africanaussiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-67305240946952559132021-06-21T13:40:55.271+10:002021-06-21T13:40:55.271+10:00I have a crocheted collar from the early 1900s tha...I have a crocheted collar from the early 1900s that was dyed with beets. It's a very soft shell pink. Tropical Threadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10577923650038624948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-38236676174154588252021-06-21T13:39:54.297+10:002021-06-21T13:39:54.297+10:00I watched the mum of a friend when a kid, do a lot...I watched the mum of a friend when a kid, do a lot of dying with eucalyptus leaves and other botanicals. Then as an adult I have had two friends who have loved playing round with what they can dye, including with earth (That was a great result, and the earth from different parts of Australia varies beautifully)<br /><br />But I've never done any myself. Only with commercial dyes. <br /><br />I'm eyeing off some true indigo seeds I have, and also the native indigo, though that looks like it probably won't flourish in Darwin, that it needs a cooler climate.<br /><br />I will definitely dye with indigo if it grows!<br /><br />I have some Henna plants for the scent, when they're old enough I might look at using those for dying too. <br /><br />The idea of dying with my own plants appeals the most :-)Tropical Threadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10577923650038624948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-2651089299469844602021-06-16T07:52:37.399+10:002021-06-16T07:52:37.399+10:00It really is quite fun. I didnt try beets, becaus...It really is quite fun. I didnt try beets, because I read that they turned a mudddy brown, but might try some others now - you cannot always believe everything you read!africanaussiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-57257257036454755732021-06-16T07:50:38.711+10:002021-06-16T07:50:38.711+10:00It is so awesome for kids to have mentors that are...It is so awesome for kids to have mentors that are so comfortable in their own expressions. africanaussiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-36204504291085422252021-06-14T00:05:18.971+10:002021-06-14T00:05:18.971+10:00Back in the late 70's, I did a bit of weaving ...Back in the late 70's, I did a bit of weaving and I did dye some wool with plant dyes I sourced locally. It was lots of fun. We had butternut trees and their nuts make a very permanent brown. I also used onions, horsetails and beets. My sister is now experimenting with natural dyes for screen printing.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01816796977553847916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-83726263127002974862021-06-13T16:55:18.185+10:002021-06-13T16:55:18.185+10:00What a big process however they look great. My dau...What a big process however they look great. My daughter had a teacher at her school that only wore bright coloured tie dyed tshirts and she had pink hair. She was her teacher 4 years ago but she would still be out there with her bright happy hair and shirt.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13278810299840471966noreply@blogger.com