Last week I continued experimenting with natural dyes, this time using onion skins.
I used regular yellow onion skins that I had collected over time. The natural coloured wool was pre-mordanted, as usual, in cream of tartar and alum. I was surprised by the colour. I expected something more yellow rather than this brown/gold colour. These onions came from my uncle’s garden. Somewhere along the line, without ever discussing it, my uncle and I have reached an agreement where he provides me with his onions, which are particularly sweet, and I provide him with maple syrup. It works for us.
I think the next dye experiment will be with wild grape leaves because the vines are growing like crazy and interfering with the clothes line. Not that the clothes line is much use right now with all the rain. Oh well.
