The Studio Diary

Dyes I'm trying in May

On my wish list for the dye pot in May are

Sumac, Thistle, Tagetes, Sweet Cicely, Mares Tail and Fireweed.

In the top photo is a test pan of Tagetes - French marigolds - 20 flowers in a small pan gave a beautiful rich golden thread with real depth.

This glorious black is Sumac and tannin - the thread was in the dye pot for 48 hours and then dipped into the iron pan for 20 minutes. One skein remained stubbornly dark green, and I wonder if it is that they all had a chalk bath before the sumac and maybe one crept in that hadn't been in that. I shall have to repeat the experiment.

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Carrie LaChance 1702046655

Hi Jane! I just want to say first that I absolutely love this space you have created. That green you got there with the sumac dye, I’ve had that happen when I have made sumac inks to paint with. If I mix sumac extract with a bit of iron it just turns grey. But if I add a little alkali like wood ash lye in after, it shifts to that same green. I think it was the chalk that did it, that would make sense. Love these colors they’re just so rich.