Prints fine tuned 效果好一點的印染

Have been doing experiments of botanic prints to get more clear and strong outlines.  Even the same iron bath I use, it may differ. I daunted sometimes for the unstable outcome of penetrated marks.  That looks messy.   After trial and error, seems I got the tricks that may be controllable.

These days I tried iron mordant with euc and rose leaves as well two unknown wild leaves (the top left and right narraw ones) on two separate silk fabrics. Only the wild leaves have no strong prints, others are good.

Same leaves and result on this pattern.

Strong dark prints with iron mordant.

Mirror fold of prints, same shape with shades.

Clear prints with less iron penetrated.  Friends asked how to make the background as clear as this.  Excuse for the overwhelming images below.  I'll explain at the end.





"Mum, are you succeed in getting prints", Mogi.

"Not really but at least I can control individual leaf prints, I'd share later if I could get constant outcome.  Mum have to explore more".

I do these prints by steaming or boiling in clear water.  I like to use the used rice cooker. It's safe and energy save.

Today just done another bundle with more sharp and strong prints. A story to follow.

Until next time.

Another eco print experiments 躍動彩色

Last eco print workshop was focused on iron mordant to get shades. We didn't make prints with alum which gives a bit yellow.  Judy found it impressive and asked for a commission scarf.  How nice to do it again for an order !  

I soaked the silk fabric in alum water for hours, then put on some leaves also dipped with alum and iron mordant.  Leaves of rose, maple and some unknown all together, 3 bundles in a row..... After boiling for 1.5 hours, here come the looks....... 

Yellow from unknow windfalls

Iron mordant with dark prints of rose leaf

Brown of unknown dried windfall 

The two scarves with both ends of thread marks and brown edges due to dyeing pot of euc leaves and barks. 

Below close up of euc, rose, maple ........ and wild daisy....  

   

Ways to wrap it......

This one with little wild daisy gives a bit bright yellow. 

I made three pieces of silk scarves with different leaves.  The leaves and flowers used I can tell where I got it.  The little daisies picked under the euc tree while I visited my mum in Shatin.   The scarves are one of a kind and made with heart not only from myself.  I thank for the lady from the florist who's so generous to give me the rose leaves.  Thanks for Judy who joined my classes.  Doing a commission piece is challenging since I'm not sure if it's what the receipent wants.  So these pieces are for Judy's choice.
 

Mogi, "wondering which one(s) Judy would pick it?"

Mogi, "I myself prefer this wool felt stool cover mum made in Portugal with euc leaves from Monterey, CA."

Subtle eco printed scarf 柔色植物印染圍巾

Georgette silk is my fav to do with eco prints.  Love the dense weave yet soft so that prints on it can be bold particular with euc.

這植物印染是天然柔色? 是 ”烏卒卒”?  個人喜好吧。 這實驗是用 Georgette絲質布料包扎著桉樹葉在混有鐵罐子的鍋內文火煲一小時，物料留在鍋內約七子小時，就是這效果，如果把包扎物取出放在空間幾日，顏色效果可能更顯著，我還須要多點耐性。　

These days I made a few pieces of scarves with assorted euc leaves.......

together with twigs and buds.

Simmered for an hour in iron mordanted pot with iron lids and fresh euc leaves.  I usuaally keep it in a themo pot so heat will last for some hours.  That will save energy.

Unbundled after sitting in dye pot for 7 hours

Comparison of before and after

Quite mousy look with string marks at the end

Reddish prints of euc cinerea and light prints of other sort.

Since in iron mordanted pot, the whole piece become greyish

My girl said the scarf is not dark nor brown, looks dirty and asked if any bright color could be achieved.  I said this is what we call "subtle". Since I encountered a group of eco print / dye.  I almost fall in love with the natural printing and the outcome, just love the pale and soft beauty of nature. 
Next time I'll do a few experiments with bundles stay longer days.  That will have different shades of leaf prints with iron.  I should be patient ! 

Yes,  I can  make the soft and bright prints just with euc cinerea.

The outlines of the leaves are obvious since the georgette fabric was soaked in iron mordanted hot water for some hours before laying the leaves over it.  Outcome after boiled for an hour. 

Green is rose leave

Are they bright ?

This mousy piece may be as it is for a scarf

 

Or make it a tote bag.  Fingers crossed.