Ecoprint with cotton: materials

Cotton, the most commonly used fabric for quilters, is not the easiest material to dye using natural dyes. Results are subtle and the process is complicated, and relatively little information can be found on the web about dyeing of cotton. So, we need some preparations to make before we can get started.

These are the materials we need this month:

Supplies:

• 100% Cotton, pieces of 25 x 50 cm (10 x 20 inches)

• Round wood or iron poles of 20 cm (7,5 inch). You can cut a broomstick or dowel in pieces. A thick branch will do too.

• Cotton yarn for binding

• Iron (II) sulfate 

• Soda ash

• Soy milk or Alum

• Leaves

• Boiler/Kettle/pot (one dedicated for art use!)

• Vinyl Gloves

The most difficult to obtain might be the iron (II) sulfate. In the Netherlands we have a moss-remover for the garden which consists of 95% iron (II) sulfate, called 'Tegen mos'. But not all moss-removers are iron sulfate so please check the label. In case you really can't find it, try to make your own iron-water by soaking old rusty iron pieces (or ferruginous fossils) in a plain water bath.

Works more or less, but I prefer the iron (II) sulfate powder of which you only need a teaspoon per session.

The Soy milk can be bought ready made, but can also be made yourself, here you will find a perfect recipe:

http://www.johnmarshall.to/H-Soymilk.htm

No need to collect leaves on forehand. They are most easily used when fresh.

Wednesday we will discuss poles and kettles.