Poke Weed Dye Attempt #1:
In my process during this first time dyeing, I gathered a large Ikea bag of raw materials, clipped pokeweed berries and the tops of their stalks. I brought 25 quarts of water to a low simmer. I added in the raw materials, stalks and berries whole. I then stirred the pot and kept the water temperature around 150 degrees Celsius for 2-3hours. I added in 4 tablespoons of Alum, some salt, some vinegar during that time. I removed my boiled raw materials from the pot.
I submerged my fabrics in water and then added them to the heated and vibrant dye pot. I left the heat on for about an hour and then left the fabric sitting in the pot for nearly a week. The resulting effect was a light to moderate luminance of dye, a warm rusty orange and brown color. The effect was mostly steady across the fabric. There are occasional variations of the dye because of the way the fabric sat in the pot. I did not achieve the vibrancy of the pink and magenta that I hoped for.
I learned a bit about what I will do differently for my next dyes. I want to mash the berries to extract more color from them. I also want to leave the raw materials in the pot while the fabric sits. I think this could make a more unique and variant dye effect, with spots and imprints of the berries on the fabric. Also, I used old kitchen towels, pillow cases and fabric remnants and this was to my detriment. T0 touch, these fabrics seemed to have a good cotton content but through the process, I realized there was quite a bit of a blend of fibers. It is really important to have 100 percent organic materials for natural dye color to catch. I’m going to go and buy fabrics instead of reusing textiles for my next round of dyes.
Other things to consider; there is a certain timeliness of these dye projects because the plants themselves are so seasonal. The process cannot be miraculous replicated in a months’ time. It plants these fabrics firmly in the Autumn season, just like a pumpkin pie or a Octoberfest Beer. If I can harness the pink color– It could be a surprising new addition to that really typical seasonal color pallet. Magenta is not a color usually associated with September and October. In my later use of these fabrics, I hope that they could be hit by a late day sun, and maybe join the horizon with the pinks and magentas of a sunset.
The experience: The whole experience has been a very charming one. I stood outside for hours next to my turkey fryer and gas propane tank and watched the steam rise off the water into the crisp October air. There was no fear or urgency for me, just a happiness to engage and discover. To try out an old way of doing something; not a better or “pure-er” way of doing something (because I don’t think that my process was without a small environmental footprint), but a simple way working. I’m not disappointed by my light dye and I wasn’t expecting it to work out perfectly the first time. I was charmed by the experience of hanging my fabric to dry and doing things the slow way. And this enjoyment, this “charming” feeling might be a mirage. This feeling might be an unfortunate side effect of privilege. Many people’s lives are adversely effected by fast fashion. The toxic chemicals in dyes for jeans has ruined drinking water and caused a health crisis in many communities across the globe. So, what now? How can I move through privilege and guilt and still center my practice this fall on the natural dyes that exist in my landscape? Something to continue to think.
Sketches for Sculptures:
Various ideas and clarifications:
Open like a curtain in the front. A person could stand within and reach into the tentacles to the outside. An opening at the top to look out at the sky. Roughly 7ft tall. More than one person could fit inside. Maybe the inner layer should be knit and soft? Warm, encompassing space. An escape to calm place. A feeling of “backstage”. Anonymous but a kind, anonymous. Stranger compassion versus stranger danger. Appearing trunk-like.