Opening the wrapped purse (with leaves inside)...
...and peeling off the spent foliage! :)
The colors look yellow and grey when they are first revealed...
The colors look yellow and grey when they are first revealed...
...but change to brown when dry.
Remnants of silk velvet are still visible on the flap.
Isn't it remarkable how clear the leaf prints look?
When making bags like this, I usually tuck one flap in (for a pocket) and leave one out...
...but since I like the way one dyed flap frames the other...
...I think I'll just make two buttonholes and have a double-flap closure this time! :)
...but since I like the way one dyed flap frames the other...
...I think I'll just make two buttonholes and have a double-flap closure this time! :)
The purse back.
Midway through our week in Portugal, my friend, Terriea...
...showed us how she uses leaves to eco-dye silk and wool at home.
We picked olive leaves, oak leaves, chestnut and rose leaves...
...and Terriea did a 'test run' with them to see which would render the best prints.
Because the chestnut and rose leaves seemed to leave the nicest designs...
...I chose them for my 'experiment'. :)
"After all", I thought, "I suddenly have an embellishment-free white purse...
...and...perhaps...have found a way to salvage it?!?"
I turned the bag inside-out and carefully laid a single layer of leaves inside the bag...
...then rolled it up from the bottom and tied it tightly with strips of cloth.
We soaked our various projects in a solution of vinegar and water...
...then simmered them for 45 minutes or so on the stove.
By 'talking sternly' to our impatient selves...
...we managed to allow them to cool in their cooking pots overnight before the 'big reveal'.
As you can see, the leaves worked like a charm...
...and the purse was absolutely transformed.
(Now, all I need is the perfect button.)
Next time: fun felt rings!
...showed us how she uses leaves to eco-dye silk and wool at home.
We picked olive leaves, oak leaves, chestnut and rose leaves...
...and Terriea did a 'test run' with them to see which would render the best prints.
Because the chestnut and rose leaves seemed to leave the nicest designs...
...I chose them for my 'experiment'. :)
"After all", I thought, "I suddenly have an embellishment-free white purse...
...and...perhaps...have found a way to salvage it?!?"
I turned the bag inside-out and carefully laid a single layer of leaves inside the bag...
...then rolled it up from the bottom and tied it tightly with strips of cloth.
We soaked our various projects in a solution of vinegar and water...
...then simmered them for 45 minutes or so on the stove.
By 'talking sternly' to our impatient selves...
...we managed to allow them to cool in their cooking pots overnight before the 'big reveal'.
As you can see, the leaves worked like a charm...
...and the purse was absolutely transformed.
(Now, all I need is the perfect button.)
Next time: fun felt rings!
20 comments:
Beautiful work!
Very nice design turned out.
Vlad'ka-Thanks so much!
Galina--I was surprised and pleased by how well it went! :)
Oh wow I LOVE that idea. It is so beautiful, and so natural!!
Andria--We did some rust-dyeing, too and I think you'll like the look of that piece as well when I post it!
The leaf prints have worked very well, creating a beautifully subtle effect. Definitely a new trick to hang on to!
The prints are to my surprise - clear outlines and not much dirts. Your bag shape is so nice that the prints go well with it. I'm sure when you have the button fixed it must be a perfect natural bag.
Wow, it's SO beautiful! I'm going to have to learn more about eco-dyeing.
Love your work! I|m also experiencing eco print... How I wish I had been in that Nicola class!
Rachel--Yes, and you don't feel 'queasy' about this kind of dyeing...no mask or precautions!!
Terriea--Thanks again for sharing your wonderful methods!! I'm really pleased with both of the 'eco' projects that I did with you!!
Becky--Terriea is the one to follow if you want to learn how to use plants for dyeing!!!
Andrea--What fun! I look forward to seeing what you get up to next!!
This is really cool, Heather! I love Terrie's dyeing projects, too. I just bought India Flint's book, can't wait to give it a try!
That turned out really well! Love that when inspiration hits. :)
I had a feeling you'd use some leaves, but thought you might have also used rose petals - that's why I was thinking great color combinations. Nevertheless, the leaves took to the dye bath really well.
I love it Heather! Amazing how the leaves transformed the purse.
Lindy--It was great, learning from Terriea. She has a real gift for dyeing!
Denise--I thought you may have gotten the wrong idea!! :) Glad you like it.
Suzanne--It was a welcome 'rescue'!!
I love this bag, Heather. Not just the excellent print and color but the overal design, the way you made the handle and the front/the way it closes. Well done!
Monika--Thanks so much! I have to admit that I'm rather glad that it failed as a silk velvet experiment!! :)
Heather this is lovely! It is so subtle and classy!
I love how the leaf imprints have turned out, and the remnants of silk velvet are a pretty accent too. What a fantastic save!
x
Deborah--Thanks! I thought of you today at the art museum...there were packs of Hundertwasser postcards! :)
Very nice, and a really cute pattern too. :)
Sandie--I'm glad you like it!!
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