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Dye Plants in Curious Spaces

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Willow

There are a variety of willow species with different branch colours. This variety is lovely for basket weavers! The willows growing on the Lafarge site are very bushy - it is all new growth after the original trees were clear-cut. While it is so unfortunate that these trees were cut down, we get to witness a pretty unique landscape of willow 'bushes' here while they grow back and reclaim the site once again.

Spring Growth ID

Dye Process

Initially I used just the bark from willow branches, as I thought this would be where the colour was. 44g (28% WOF)

Initially I used just the bark from willow branches, as I thought this would be where the colour was. 44g (28% WOF)

The colour did change from orange to a deeper red which was exciting

The colour did change from orange to a deeper red which was exciting

The resulting colours were a pinky-beige, so then I tried using the leftover leaves and sticks for a new dyebath. That's where the magic happened.

The resulting colours were a pinky-beige, so then I tried using the leftover leaves and sticks for a new dyebath. That's where the magic happened.

Dye Results

Willow on cotton, linen, ramie/silk, wool, and silk fibers.

Willow on cotton, linen, ramie/silk, wool, and silk fibers.

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