Today I went on a little expedition into the woods to collect oak galls for dyeing. I've rarely seen them before but last week noticed a place where they grow in abundance. Holding them for the first time I was surprised how light they are. And at the range of their colours. They look like clay beads.
In the afternoon I extracted the dye and the fabric is soaking it up as I type.
5 comments:
i cant wait to see the color. did you do a hot water extraction?
Hi Joni, yes I crushed them, simmered and strained.
They do look like clay beads! They are so beautiful. There are oak galls on the oaks in one part of my parents' property. I had no idea you could dye with them. Can't wait!!
Thanks, Brittany. Hope you won't be disappointed - they only give different beiges. But they're useful as a natural mordant too. And ink used to be made from them.
Ooh, I have a bunch of these on my oak trees and wondered what they might be. I suppose I should try making some dye! I also have a bucket FULL of walnuts that I need to work with!
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