These first two are on wool felt. Interesting, but I don't know what to do with the felt once it's printed.
This next one is the pale yellow cotton flannel again, but this time I soaked it in diluted soy milk before printing. Protein fibers, like silk and wool, print better than the cellulose fibers like cotton and linen. Presoaking the cotton in soy milk gives it more of the properties of a protein fiber, since soy is protein. The leaves print better on soy milk-soaked cotton.
This last one is my favorite. It's the same pale yellow cotton flannel soaked in diluted soy milk, but it was the first sheet in the bundle, and it was pressed up against a piece of cardboard. What's in cardboard that makes these pieces more yellow and print better? Is it the acid in the cardboard? Could I simulate the cardboard effect with something like vinegar? And are acids harmful to fabrics over time, if the fabric is washed after printing?
8 comments:
Not sure if this comment went through the first time.... I'm no dye expert but I do know that protein fibers like an acid environment for dyeing - and you sort of made the cotton into a protein fiber with the soy milk. Half vinegar/half water sprayed on the cloth should help - and shouldn't be detrimental to the life of the cloth after a good wash. There could be acid in the cardboard, depending on how it is made.
Thanks, Bogolan! Do you think the acids in the cardboard are detrimental to the fabric, if I wash the fabric afterward?
One other thing that puzzles me . . . why would acids in the cardboard cause the cotton to dye more easily, when cotton dyes better in an alkaline environment?
I've been reading up on how cardboard is made. It turns out that pine trees are shredded, and strongly alkaline chemicals are used to dissolve the wood into pulp. So cardboard must be very alkaline, which explains why it helps the cotton to dye. I'll try an alkaline dip, and see what that does -- maybe soda ash?
The last one is really beautiful, very yummy color and sharp outline. I'm also new to eco-print. Find it wonderderful. You're referred by other expert. Your works are great.
Thank you, Terrie! I'd love to see your ecoprints when you have some images to share.
Hi - your work is lovely! My name is Amelia, I'm a textile artist and eco-printer from Maine. Don't worry about protein fibers in an acid environment, wool and silk prefer acidity to alkalinity, especially in the long term. Leaving protein fibers in an alkaline environment can cause the fibers to look rough and flaky under a microscope and the difference in hand and durability is noticible. But, an acidic afterbath can help to prevent long term damage. (i.e. alkaline environment, then vinegar/water dip, followed by two fresh water rinses.)
I'm looking forward to more experiments when the leaves return to the frozen north!
(Here is a link to some of my photos - Maine seems to have a corner on green and grey - I am jealous of your orange-y shades!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14929261@N03/sets/72157626969792368/
Your ecoprints are beautiful, Amelia. Interesting that you mostly get greens and grays! Could it be the fabric that you're using?
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