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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Strain dye through a sieve to remove plant material. Allow liquid to cool.
- Soak silks in hot water for 20-30 minutes
- Remove 1-4 silks from hot water, squeeze and stir into dye
- Simmer for 20-45 minutes, until dye is absorbed into silks, stirring often
- Let cool a bit and remove (carefully) with tongs
- 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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