Stitch Exchange: Dye-It-Yourself Eco-Printed Table Linens

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Announcing our newest natural dyeing kit: Dye-It-Yourself Eco-Printed Table Linens

Dye your very own set of table linens using California botanicals - like eucalyptus leaves and marigolds. These table linens will add a special handmade touch to your holiday table. And are also very easy and fun to make!

In this kit, you receive:
+ 4 Fog Linen placemats (100% linen)
+ 4 Fog Linen napkins (100% linen)
+
1 spool of button and craft thread
+ Mordant
+ Eucalyptus leaves and marigolds

To complete this kit, you will need:
+ Scissors
+ Bucket
+ 1 stainless steel pot (approximately 5 quart)
+ Spoon

INSTRUCTIONS  

Before we begin to eco-print and dye, it is important to take the first two steps to take to ensure good results: Step 1 washing and Step 2 mordanting.

1. Wash the table linens using laundry soap (without bleach) and hot water in your washing machine. You do not need to dry them.

2. Fill a bucket with water. Add pre-measured mordant to the bucket. And stir. Add the table linens. Stir. Let rest for 6 hours. Rinse.

3. Place one of the washed and mordanted napkins (or placemats) on a clean, flat surface. Place leaves and flowers on the napkin in a design of your choice. Fold to envelope the leaves and flowers.

4. Roll as tightly as possible into a bundle.

5. Wrap the bundle tightly with button and craft thread.

6. Fill a pot with water. Place the bundles into the water. Heat to 180-200 degrees for at least one hour. Marigolds impart color upon the cloth faster than eucalyptus leaves. If your design includes the leaves, for the best color, heat for at least 2-3 hours. There are times I have left my dyepot for 8 hours in order to draw out as much color as possible. If I do this, I make sure to check on the pot every so often and add more water.

7. Allow the bundles to cool. Once cool, remove the thread, unwrap the bundle, remove the plant materials, and admire your results!

8. Rinse with cool water and dry.

Now these are ready for your next Fall dinner party! Need ideas for what to cook? Here is one of my favorite cooking blogs

If you would like to learn about more plants which have great dyeing potential, and have access to a plethora of natural dyeing recipes, pick up a copy of my book, The Modern Natural Dyer.

-- Kristine

 

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