P.S. to Eucalyptus Tests
I have now managed to try out the acidic modifier on skeins from the Eucalyptus gunnii bark dyebath. The skeins on the left were mordanted with alum & those on the right were unmordanted. The acidic modified samples are second from the top in each case.
It would appear that this species of eucalyptus follows the usual pattern of modifiers & the acidic modifier has lightened the shade. But it was worth doing the test just to make sure.
Have you tried dyeing paper? I wonder if we could make up a book with all the fabulous colours that can be achieved – it would be stunningly beautiful!
Maybe some sort of watercolour paper would absorb well and dry nicely?
x C
How convienient of you to be discussing eucalyptus!
I’ve just fallen into several different euc species of bark that i’ll be trying to dye with – probably left to ‘age’ in water for several months, as I’m not cooking anything in this frigid NE US weather at the moment.
Some of the trees have fairly thin bark, but others have much thicker bark, with the outer layers being colored, but the inner layers being fairly white. Would I just use the colored parts of the bark?
And would I expect great dye color differences between barks of different species? Just deciding on how many pots to start…
Thanks, Donna
This is very interesting, all the different shades you got. So far i only dyed some silk and wool but no skeins as i dont use them in my feltworks.
For me there’s a big difference between E. gunnii and E. cenerea (only know these two). I love the colors of cenerea, but would have to buy them whereas i rather dye with found plantmaterial.
Well, in a few weeks i get new leaves so i can try again.
I’ll try to put some photo’s on my blog tonight.
Thank you Jenny.