Fresh marigold petals are used in this project to print upon a soft, silk scarf. This style of printing, coined 'eco-printing' by artist and environmentalist , is a fun, easy way to celebrate flowers and textiles. This process is easy and so rewarding - truly a wonderful way to carry Summer's bounty of color with you all year long.
Kristine, the co-owner of Verb, originally created this pattern for Making magazine. She writes "I adore the first change in season. Such as when Winter melts away, the sun’s rays growing in length, and the Earth begins to awaken. The buds on plants and trees in my garden begin to bloom. I find myself drawn to the garden. Even in the early stages of Spring I am already dreaming of how the garden will fill with shades of green, dappled sunlight, and little pops of color. Soon as the leaves fill in, and the days grow longer, we are eating meals surrounded by our plants. Having tea. Reading books and thinking about what kind of color in the form of dye may be hiding in those plants."
In this project you will learn the three step of eco-printing: mordanting, placement of dye, and dyeing. (Mordanting is the process of applying a non-toxic, food-grade binder to the fabric to increase lightfastness and to create the richest colors.)
All the tools requested for this project are commonly used in the natural-dyeing process, so ones you will repeatedly use, and provide a good base to start a natural dyeing practice. You can either download the instructions and acquire the materials separately. Or, you can select a bundle to accompany the instructions.
Both bundles include the following:
- one wooden dowel
- button craft thread
- one marigold seed packet
Bundle options include:
I want to do it all.
- one, unmordanted, 33" x 33" silk scarf
- mordant for the scarf listed above
Mordant for me. (As some people want to jump directly into the dyeing process, we have created an option where we mordant the scarf for you.)
- one, mordanted, 33" x 33" silk scarf
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Supplies you will need to complete this project:
- Secret Garden Scarf PDF instructions
- measuring spoon
- 3-5 quart stainless steel pot with lid
- tongs or chopsticks
- timer
- thermometer (recommended)
- fresh flowers (marigolds, cosmos, and coreopsis are great! You can also use onion skeins.)
- scissors
If you would like to dive deeper into natural dyeing, check out the two books we have written: T and . Both books include eco-printing projects.
Photos courtesy of Carrie Bostick Hoge.
