Using the red cabbage / alum / copper sulphate mix, I achieved some lovely results. I collected some eucalypt leaves from my local park, but also tried a few plants from my garden.
I'll use the resulting eco-prints to make notebooks to sell at markets later this year. I also intend to make a concertina artist book with the large pieces.
Eucalypt leaves |
My stash of rusty metal bits |
The brew - I cut up the red cabbage and put it into a laundry bag to get the colour started. I removed the bag before dyeing to make space for my bundles. And it looks purple, but dyes blue/green/grey. |
Making a bundle. My technique is usually stuff in as much as you can, but I decided to be a bit more conservative! |
After 45 minutes simmering and maybe a bit of 'sitting' time, I remove my bundles from the brew to cool before I unwrap them. Patience is the key! |
Unbundling - the best part of the process! |
I love the dark marks that the rusty bottletop has made. It contrasts really well with the brew colour (greeny/blue/grey) and the leaf print. |
The prints lighten as they darken -this one is still wet. The purples lightened somewhat but still a beautiful print. |
Wonderful marks and moody darks. |
A clear leaf print. The advantage of the cabbage brew is that the brew colour doesn't dominate like an iron brew (my favourite). |
Lots of prints for notebooks. Might be hard to part with them though! |