Celebrate Spring With a Silk-Dyeing Party

If spring has been a long time coming in your neck of the woods, why not celebrate with a silk dyeing party?  Here’s what you’ll need:

• Plain 100% silks in various sizes. Dharma Trading Company is one source.
• Beets, marigolds, coffee, onion skins, carrots and other items from nature to use as dyes

And here’s how to do it:

1. The night before: Cut up plant materials. Chop or crush hard materials such as roots. Soak overnight in a glass or enamel bowl with just enough water to cover.
2. Next day. Pour contents of the bowl into a stainless steel pan. Bring to a boil on stove and simmer gently for about one hour. Check it frequently and add water when needed.
3. Strain dye through a sieve to remove plant material. Allow liquid to cool.
4. Soak silks in hot water for 20-30 minutes
5. Remove 1-4 silks from hot water, squeeze and stir into dye
6. Simmer for 20-45 minutes, until dye is absorbed into silks, stirring often
7. Let cool a bit and remove (carefully) with tongs
8. Hang outside from clothesline or tree-limbs and let dry in the breeze

Use silks for dancing, dressing up, imagination play, wrapping gifts, or anything else your heart desires!

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.

Tags: DIY, Eco-Craft, silk dyeing

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