Seit ein paar Jahren mache ich aus kleinen Stoffresten gern das hier: die Taschenfreund*in!
Was das ist? Die beste Mischung aus Handschmeichler und beruhigendem Duftkissen. Und falls du noch neu bist beim Nähen gibt es hier eine grobe Anleitung. Aber eigentlich gibt’s dafür keine Regeln!
Indigo: Vier Lieblingsbücher
An anderer Stelle habe ich schon mal über einige meiner liebsten Färbebücher geschrieben. Passend zum Indigo Intro-Workshop ist es jetzt an der Zeit für Buchtipps speziell zum Thema!
Read MoreFärben mit Staudenknöterich
Der Japanische Staudenknöterich (Fallopia japonica) ist eine ursprünglich in Ostasien heimische Pflanze. Vielleicht lässt der Name dich schon nervös aufmerken? Der Staudenknöterich ist für viele wohl DIE Art, wenn sie an ‚invasive Neophyten‘ in der Pflanzenwelt denken. Sie wurde im 19. Jahrhundert gezielt nach Europa eingeführt, als Zier- und schnellwachsende Nutzpflanze, aus heutiger Perspektive keine so gute Idee…
Färben mit Obstschnitt: Apfel, Kirsche und Pflaumenbaum
Wusstest du, dass man mit Obstschnitt färben kann? Also mit Zweigen, die bei den vielen Obstbäumen im jährlichen Schnitt anfallen – meist im Winter, wenn es sonst draußen kaum Färberpflanzen gibt. Manche Bäume werden nach der Ernte sogar nochmal geschnitten. Also viel Potential für den Färbetopf! Denn beim Sommerschnitt gibt es nicht nur Zweige, sondern auch noch Blätter zum Färben. Dabei solltest du aber unbedingt etwas beachten.
Read MoreShort + sweet: Scabiosa
Pincushion flower, Scabiosa atropurpurea
Scabiosa, or picushion flowers, come in a variety of colors, from very light like white or pale pink to deep dark red, almost black. I have them here as a 'black' variant,which might be the most exciting for the dye pot.
Read MoreShort + sweet: Tickseed
Tickseed/Dyer's coreopsis, Coreopsis tinctoria
Dyer's coreopsis is an annual plant, with filigree leaves and a large number of small flowers. The flowers glow in a warm yellow with a mahogany red eye.
Read MoreShort + sweet: Woad
Woad, or Isatis tinctoria
Woad has a long history in Germany, especially in Thuringia, where it provided work and prosperity. Likewise in other regions of Central Europe, for example the southwest of France. Nevertheless, woad does not originate from Central Europe. Woad was cultivated by humans very early on and accompanied them as a dyeing plant - in Europe this can be traced back to the iron age !
Read MoreIndigo: How to extract pigment from plants
Precious blue in green leaves
Are you growing Dyer's knotweed, or woad ? Here's a how-to for indigo pigment extraction. It's suitable for small to medium sized extractions. Some equipment/process might not be reasonable for large scale growers.
Read MoreStart a dye garden
Set up a dye garden: Dye plants for gardens and containers
My garden is a Berlin allotment, with very limited space, no greenhouse, and besides dye plants I also want to grow vegetables and fruit. These dye plants here are my staples. I grow them each year, despite constantly struggling for space... I like to dye with them, they do well in my garden and also attract pollinators, because the garden isn't just for me.
Read MoreKitchen dyes: Dyeing with pomegranate
Pomegranate as a dye? There are quite a few fugitive plants found in our kitchens. That are so inviting especially for first dye experiments, like red cabbage or beet root – yet not colourfast. But pomegranate peels are a trustworthy and traditional source of dye.
Read MoreDIY: Make ink from plants
Just like before easter I also got creative again this festive season: I wanted to make ink from plants that to draw christmas cards and gift tags. Preferably from plants that are easily available. A few days after thinking about this, an avocado appeared in our kitchen, and that's when I knew what to do.* Make ink with waste from avocado!
Read MoreNovember dye plants: Dyeing with leaves
Autumn has arrived, the summer plants have faded and the trees are shedding their leaves. All beings are preparing for winter. We withdraw and enjoy the harvest of the previous months.
While summer is abundant and the time to forage, winter is for being cosy indoors, crafting and sure, also dye pots. But are you wondering if you could still find dye plants now?
Read MoreForaging for dye plants
Summer is abundant with plants and flowers! An invitation to smell blooms on walks, to stare dreamily into the canopy while lying on a meadow – or to forage and dye.
If you are not familiar to gathering wild plants, I would like to introduce you to some things to consider. And at the end of this post you'll see three plants that you are sure to find if you're not located too far from here.
Das brauchst du wirklich: Equipment zum Pflanzenfärben
Darüber haben wir in den Workshops schon diskutiert: Welches Equipment zum Pflanzenfärben braucht man wirklich am Anfang?
Read MoreDyeing easter eggs with plants
Dyeing Easter eggs with plants can be a simple and exciting project with kids - or you something you do just by yourself (perhaps for your inner child) as I did.
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