We made separate dyes using blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries.
You will need:
1⁄2 cup table salt
8 cups water
vintage white cotton handkerchiefs (as many as you need for your window width)
berry dye
pins
sewing needle
thread
1⁄2 cup table salt
8 cups water
vintage white cotton handkerchiefs (as many as you need for your window width)
berry dye
pins
sewing needle
thread
- Prepare handkerchiefs for dyeing: Wash the fabric you have chosen to dye.
- Don’t dry it—it needs to be wet.
- Prepare the fixative or mordant. This is to help the fabric take up the dye more easily. Combine salt and water in a large saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, stirring until salt dissolves.
- Remove from heat.
- Add the washed (wet) fabric and allow to stand 1 hour in the salt water.
- Remove fabric and rinse well with water. The fabric is now ready to be dyed.
- Dye handkerchiefs in your choice of berry dyes.
- Allow to dry naturally.
- Working 2 at a time, place right sides of handkerchiefs together and pin along 1 edge allowing a 1⁄4” hem.
- Sew together.
- Repeat with remaining handkerchiefs until you have a curtain the size you require.
- Measure the diameter of the rod (we used a branch!) you wish to hang the curtain from.
- Pin and sew a hem to fit rod or branch through.
- Hang curtain!
TIP:
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