AVFKW x Making Zine - The Secret Garden Scarf Bundle

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 India Flint, 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: The Modern Natural Dyer and Journeys in Natural Dyeing. Both books include eco-printing projects.

Photos courtesy of Carrie Bostick Hoge.

When working with fabric, thread, and fiber dyed with indigo, it is common and natural for the blue dye to rub off on one’s hands while sewing. This is called crocking. Although the goods have been washed, it takes pressured contact to release the extra indigo dye. Your handwork is part of the indigo dyeing process. The blue dye can be removed with hot water and soap. From working closely with indigo dyed materials through the making process, typically, the excess dye has been removed, and the crocking will cease.

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Please note the fiber content of the material you are working with, and follow the applicable instructions: 

Cotton or linen - Machine washable on cool cycle with pH neutral soap. Lay flat to dry.

Superwash Wool - Machine washable on cool cycle with pH neutral soap, though hand wash recommended. Lay flat to dry.

Wool and Wool blends - Handwash only in lukewarm water with pH neutral soap. Lay flat to dry.

This item is a final sale. Once purchased, there are no cancellations, exchanges, store credits, or returns. 

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Curbside Pick-Up
To pick up your order at our shop, when checking out, under shipping method, choose Pick up at our Oakland store - 6328 San Pablo Ave.

You will receive an email when your order is ready. Orders placed Tuesday-Saturday are typically ready within 24 hours. To pick up your order, come to the shop between 11am - 3pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Knock on the front door and give us your name. 

Pre-orders
Pre-orders will ship on the date listed on the product’s webpage. If you ordered additional items, all items will be shipped with your pre-order. If you would like those items shipped separately, please place two separate orders.