I Tried to Plant Dye Green with Weld + Iron | Does it really work?

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Hello everyone! Some of you may recognize this video, and rightfully so. This video is a reupload from march, due to technical complications with the first one. I worked alot to get it to work again, and I hope it does now for all of you. Have a wonderful day out there, and take care!

[@frankiemillcarek6976]

So glad it is back! As I said last time, I'm really thankful you show how the other dyeing experiments are faring.

[@dallasholland3696]

Elin, what a wonderful and wholesome channel you have! ❤

[@topknotsrule]

So happy to know you're still doing KZbin! Can't wait for your next video!

[@topknotsrule]

Miss you

[@vhehl698]

I knew I had watched it already! But so glad it's back, your videos are always so calming and you seem like such a nice person!!

[@AshLG]

When you were so disappointed that the iron wasn't working I was practically bouncing up and down going "take it out of the water!" Because the only thing I know about plant dying is that iron reacts with oxygen. So great to see the results! Congrats on your experiments!

[@Fey3690]

I almost know nothing in plant dyeing, but my first thought was when she was panicking "oxidize by air". Thank you for saying this before me! Way to go Eilin! Super excited that you posted another dyeing adventure!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Thank you! Hahahah yes it must have been frustrating to see, and I'm sorry if I got it to look like the fabrics where in their bath for hours on straight, they weren't! That would have been too dangerous to the fibers. What I though misunderstood, was that I thought the chemical reaction would begin immediately in the air, which it didn't. So after taking up the fabric a couple of times, each time a little longer, I became all the more confused - adding more water, more iron, taking away water, just as mentioned in the video. For me, the only thing that worked was to let it dry completely over night. Not that strange really, since the water firstly then would leave the fibers alone with the air, but it was a surprise for me!

[@Fey3690]

@@elinabrahamsson9442 I was not frustrated, but more like I made an educated guess and patiently waited in anticipation on what you find the next day. I did a couple of plant dyeing projects, and no matter the plant or mordant, I some how dye the fabric that nearly matched my skintone. This stuff is hard! I am proud and excited that your projects have been more successful than mine! It keeps me trying to figure out what to do next. We got this! 😁

[@mamiewallace9437]

When you are finished dying your fabrics. The first time you want to wash it be sure to add white vinegar to the water. It will help set the color and prevent bleeding and fading. Also big plus it eliminates odors. Good job and please post more often.

[@AshLG]

@@elinabrahamsson9442 I have seen videos where it starts changing the moment it comes out of the water too, I can see why that would be stressful! The results look lovely though!

[@jenavievehottenstein1636]

As a teen that experiments with natural dyes on my wool yarn, I always love how the plant dyes create the most beautifully natural colors. They have their own kind of unique historical and natural look that can not be replicated with even the best of chemical dyes.

[@Kira-cc4fg]

Yeeeesss!! Eilin is back!!😀😀😀I hope your sewing school went well, but honestly girl, you've been missed!💕

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

And I've missed you! 💕(The sewing school went just great, thanks for asking!)

[@Kira-cc4fg]

@@elinabrahamsson9442 I'm glad to hear 🤗

[@anzaia2164]

I have done some plant dyeing in the past, using alum, iron, and stinging nettles I picked and dried myself. I did not use iron sulfate, but a vinegar-iron solution I made by leaving some old nails in a jar of vinegar and water, because I read that it is easier on the fibres. It gave the most beautiful spring green! I'm excited to see you do lots more dyeing and sewing projects!

[@lyrebird9749]

Hi, could you please explain the process you used to get the green dye? Was it on wool or cotton, did you use a mordant and how did you use the nettles and the vinegar-iron solution?

[@anzaia2164]

@@lyrebird9749 Hi! I'm glad to explain, but it's been a while so don't take it too seriously if something sounds not right here. My fabric was 100% wool. I treated it with alum by soaking it, overnight, in a solution of about 230g alum granules to 32l of water. I let it dry by hanging outside overnight, I believe. I kept the alum water, it was _a lot,_ and I am actually still using the remnants today! (I don't dye things that often, though.) My fabric weighed somewhere between 1,5 - 2kg. I dried the nettles by just hanging them up in the garden, it was summer time, so dry weather here. For the dyeing process, my recipe was basically all eye-balling, though I weighed my fabric and made sure to have the amount of dried nettles, also in weight. Since I had so much fabric, I used a plastic storage bin to dye it. With wool, it's important to wet the fabric before dyeing. It will get spotty otherwise, since wool repels water. I boiled the nettles on the kitchen stove, then carried the pot outside and poured it out, into the bin with the fabric, with a cloth to catch the nettles. When I had done that for all the plants, I wrapped them in the cloth and put it in the bin, too. There are a few spots on my cloak where the color is darker, and I believe that it's from the cloth sitting on that spot, so think twice if you want that result, haha. I just filled the with more water until the fabric was covered, then put a weight on it and let it sit overnight. I moved it around every once in a while though, before I went to sleep. It was beige at this point. The next day, Ipoured a good few tablespoons of the iron-vinegar solution into the bin, and mixed it well, repeating that until the color changed. I let it soak for a few more hours, then declared it done. Then I just hand washed it, super sensitive detergent, and went on to make my cloak. :) _I_ really love the color, though I went in without specific expectations, so there was little room for disappointment there. It is a pale, almost muted color, and the intensity of the green changes with different lighting. Though this can probably be changed by just having more plant material, and nettles aren't exactly hard to get. I encourage you to make a good bunch of small-scale experiments before tackling a bigger project, and document the recipe and process. Hope this helps, and that you'll see much success with your own projects!

[@anzaia2164]

I actually documented the whole process more thoroughly, and not just from memory, for a uni assignment to build a website. It's not a real site, but I might make it one in future, soo... Might have a link on my profile in the next year, if you still remember and want to check it out then. :)

[@lyrebird9749]

@@anzaia2164 Thanks very much for explaining :) Unfortunately where I live in Australia nettles seem quite hard to find (apart from a few tiny ones which pop up in footpath cracks) but if/when I do find some I will try this!

[@anzaia2164]

@@lyrebird9749 Well, there may be a comparable plant that is more common near you. The way I selected nettles was to go out and collect samples of any interesting plants I could find, and spent a day testing it out on 5×10cm pieces of fabric. You can get a little bit of dye out of basically anything! I'm sure you'll find what you need!

[@ladyjusticesusan]

I was so sad when you were disappointed at night. I kept thinking, please it out of the water because that’s when the real magic happens! What a beautiful color it is! Thank you for posting.

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

And thank you for watching! I realised that it indeed did look like I kept the fabrics in the iron bath the whole evening. That would have been too dangerous to the fibers. The thing that frustrated me, was that I kept on taking up and re bathing the fabrics, without anything happening, just as I mentioned in the video, but for me, the only thing that worked, was to let them completely dry overnight. That was something I didn't expect!

[@schumerthd]

Something to consider is what is in the water before you added the iron. If you are using water from a natural source there could be minerals in the water which could slow the process. Also, if you are using water provided from your city there could be chemicals in the water like chlorine which would affect the acidity of the water. Finally, iron needs to oxygen to turn green. You could add an aquarium bubbler and this would force more oxygen into the water bath.

[@mnels5214]

The aquarium bubbler idea is genius

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Yes, there's many parameters to consider when plant dyeing, and water and oxygen are important, just as you said! An aquarium bubbler would be interesting to try, I have one at home too!

[@lulumoon9]

Oh, this is good to consider!

[@meepitydoodle]

Ohhh this is going to be so fun to watch!! I have a book called "wild colour" (can't remember the author) but it has so many different dyeing plants in it and how you can dye with them!! It's very good although I have yet to actually dye anything (I'm planning to really soon tho!)

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

You are so happy to have it! There's much information on the internet, but books are far superior. I wish you and your book the best of dyeing adventures!

[@deadphoenixrising]

For anyone interested 'Wild Colour' is by Jenny Dean

[@Greye13]

It's so good to see you back. That is a beautiful shade of green and the two fabrics together are going to make a wonderful outfit. You're inspiring me to try my own hand at natural dying. It looks like fun. Many blessings.

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad to hear that, and I can truly say that it IS very fun! (and also a bit addictive😉)

[@woodlandwitch]

I can't wait to see the kirtle and jacket now! These colours are gorgeous!

[@InThisEssayIWill...]

I have several large walnut trees on my property and I have definitely thought about staining wood with it but it would be interesting to see about dying fabric too!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Oh, yes absolutely! Walnut is very easy to dye with, so if you have the time, give it a try! (or send them to me, because now I became jealous 😉)

[@lelaniadam]

This is exciting! I love the green, in South Africa we call is bushveld green or green khaki. We have a lot of outdoor fabric in the colour. It is glorious!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Oh, have you tried dyeing with it? It sounds interesting!

[@lillianhansen5464]

I'm so glad you are back! I woke up and saw your name in my notifications and did a little happy dance, haha! I look forward to more videos in the future.

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Hahahahh that's lovely! Yes, I have a few videos now in the making. If everything goes well (which...well, I can't know for certain apparently) I hope to publish as regularly as possible now the rest of the year!

[@Ragnaran]

I really liked this video, I’m so close to picking up the hobby of plant dyeing and this is making it harder to resist :D The two fabrics match so nicely, it’ll look amazing together!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

That's a must! And I can for sure say, when you've started, there's no turning back;)

[@yourlocalscribe948]

Its a fun hobby. Has kept me busy during the last few weeks. I would suggest starting off dyeing with something easy like black walnut or elderberry (which I started with)

[@SiriusFeanor]

Congratulations on a successful dye! And such wonderful nature shots, as usual. Those are amazing! Thank you for the wonderful video!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Thank you❤️

[@aw04tn58]

I have a new ambitious plan to card, spin, and weave wool and THEN use a plant dye on it. Watching these experiments is infectious, but what else is there to do in a pandemic?

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Then we have the same plan (...dream) then! 😍

[@Steph_here]

Hahaha she looks like a little mad scientist when she is outside in her little lab coat. A plant mad scientist!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Mission completed hahahah! My mum IS a mad scientist, so I just borrowed her old lab clothing 😂

[@veggiedawg14]

Your videos are so beautiful and soothing. Thank you for pushing through all of the technical difficulties! You’re inspiring me to start a project of my own!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

I am so happy to hear that! Thank you so much!❤️

[@aliencat11]

So happy to see this video. Your fabric came out beautifully. And your cat is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing, and stay healthy

[@marthabenner6528]

Alun: we in Virginia pronounce it Alum or Al-Umm, the Al has a long A and a short L, and the Um has a long M. Sometimes called alum salts, Alum is usually used for pickling vegetables or in tanning hide. once again in Virginia, I of course don't know the standard for the rest of the English-speaking world. Ps. I think I've said it before but your weld dress is now my new favorite shade of yellow.

[@alisonmassey9998]

Couldn't be more excited for the 17th century costume!

[@Kroiznacher]

Even though it is a reupload I'm a simple man I see an upload of Elin I smash the like button

[@waterbitten]

I love your iron mixing safety outfit. So cute! Also the green colour is perfect!

[@kestrels.9189]

I remember you dying the brown fabric with walnuts, that’s how I found you and followed. It’s almost nostalgic to see it again. 🤟🏻

[@thinkuthink]

Amazing work as usual and your cat friend is a very attractive co-star/ assistant! Thank you for another beautiful production ❣️

[@nancyskinner5207]

I have had the same experience with natural dye experiments. (Both the agony and the ecstasy) Years ago I was trying to produce Saxon Green. There was almost no information. Old wives tales that might work. I ended up with a woad vat that was not acting as it should. I came very close to dumping the whole thing. Instead I proceeded. It worked!! I wrote about the experience and ended up producing a Saxon green dye kit. I sold enough kits to buy a floor loom. I’m still experimenting. Just did a dye bath with an enormous amount of purple garlic skins. You have to be willing to risk it all. Sometimes it is very rewarding. It’s a different world now but these dyes connect me with the world that was. I find that remarkable.

[@lyrebird9749]

I would be willing to pay for your natural Saxon green dye kit - or at least the instructions on how to make one.

[@nancyskinner5207]

@@lyrebird9749 I may have one booklet left somewhere. If I can find it perhaps I could send you a copy. It was put together before we had the technology we have today but there’s enough info for someone to be able to do the dye baths.

[@lyrebird9749]

@@nancyskinner5207 Awesome. Please let me know and if so we'll work out a way to communicate outside of YT

[@rachelc1492]

Hello! I'm so glad you were able to fix this video and re-upload it. I saw it was available the first time and was so looking forward to watching it after I had finished working..but then it was gone. 🤔 Some people have the gift of sharing their enthusiasm for a craft in such a way that others are inspired to try it too, even if they had never thought of doing it before . You are one of those people. Thank you for sharing this video, which was excellently shot and produced, as always. Best wishes for your future projects. 💐🌹🌻

[@AdirondackRuby]

And what a lovely shade of green it is, too!

[@ellisburton8733]

Your honest nervousness is very endearing.... I always have my fingers crossed for you and your adventures xxx

[@mariaordal2510]

You are such an incredible storyteller and absolutely one of the best creators on the platform. You make my heart happy ❤️

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

I appreciated your experiment with non-white wools in this video!

[@floralcat7328]

Have I already seen this video about 5 times when you first uploaded it? Yes. Have I still clicked on it as soon as I saw it again now? Torally! Always great to see one of your videos!

[@slinky.blackcat9965]

Same here!

[@skyefirenails]

I can't wait to see you make the kirtle!

[@alexandria3583]

wow!! the final result is so beautiful!! the color suits you

[@fshbulb1]

Always a great day when Elin uploads!!! 😍

[@mentatphilosopher]

Could you have used a large piece of cheesecloth or mosquito netting to line the pot instead of having to strain the remaining plant material in batches?

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Hmm...I don't know. That would actually be interesting to try in the future!

[@yourlocalscribe948]

I always do cheeseclothes. Either them or coffee filters over a strainer.

[@vysharra]

Yes! A large ‘tea bag’ of the dye material makes a great deal of sense.

[@CrystalSea216]

You are a delightfully old soul and I thoroughly enjoy watching you ☺ Your music, the way you put your videos together makes me feel as if I'm there with you taking part. You are stunning and brilliant and something be admired. I appreciate your videos as I am an old soul who loves everything to do with herbs and the history of apothic herbalism.

[@dazey8706]

you have one of the best most enganged viewers bro i love ur videos and your comment section and the type of people that come together to help each other be slightly more sustainable in a fun community conmected way:,)

[@elisetindra8239]

Finally! I’m so exited to watch this again.

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

I'm glad you are!

[@hawthorngrove3629]

I've been experimenting with natural dyes for about 12 months. I love how all the hues seem to go together really well. Thanks for sharing your practice.

[@na.thalie.m]

I'm so happy to finally get to see this video! You bring me so much joy :)

[@marialaurintytar]

Oh no, now I have a huge urge to start experimenting with dyeing myself... Thank you for your awesome, inspirational videos!

[@laurenloertscher1319]

THE WHOLESOME QUEEN IS BACK

[@megs7019]

Love all your gorgeous colors combinations. They turned out amazing shades of green. Also remember your weather can effect on your dying… love your super sweet fluffy kitty cat 🐈

[@medievallassie]

I was honestly just thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you were doing and wondering when another video would be coming!!! I do love your videos and you as well so it is always a treat to see your name pop up on my notifications. Ditto what someone mentioned before....that iron reacts with oxygen so you never know what color you will get until you pull it out and let it dry. You have found a gorgeous color! Thank you for taking us along on another dying adventure!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

That's truly a coincidence! Yes, you're right, let it dry, was really the key here which I didn't realize!

[@CraftsyPenguin]

oh, I'm so happy to see your happiness over the colours :) Glad you reuploaded this! Also, seeing your and Juul's plant-dyeing videos one after the other was utter bliss. Thank you for your beautiful work!

[@TudorositiesbyMaureen]

I see you have a fluffy feline helper, they are so very happy to be an adorable fabric weight.. Plant dying reminds me of making the largest cup of tea, rather cook pot size. Well done getting the plant material out of the liquid mixture. Plus getting the color you relatively wanted a stronger green, its make me think of moss green

[@lisa8a8e]

very cool, I love trying to dye fibres with natural products

[@prairiegirl9188]

Beautiful work! Looking forward to the sewing video :)

[@missmagic707]

Your excitement is a joy to watch

[@deannastevens1217]

I watched Absolute History Victorian Farm. And they dyed ribbons with plant dye. And Stale Urine. The color didnt happen until the end. It was wonderful. It may be the same ending as yours. Wonderful Experiment!

[@fumblingwiththimbles2609]

Beautiful video and beautiful cat! They remind me of my cat from growing up. Such beautiful coloring!

[@maly_dinosaurik]

certain dyes - iron, indigo etc. react with oxygen, so to see something happening you need to take it out of the water. I watched some videos about indigo dying and the water was rather light green than blue, but when the fabric dried it darkened a lot. the result you achieved is very beautiful :)

[@girlofdifferentera2922]

Congratualtions!!! Those two will make the best outfit!!!

[@anniedean948]

iron loves to oxidize when exposed to oxygen. that probably changed the color!!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Yes! Oxygen and also to completely dry, seems to have been the key here!

[@swiinka]

So glad to see you back on YT! You've been missed

[@p43210]

Elin you are so inspiring! Keep doing this, please!!

[@jeanneelise5118]

😆 one day i will make a mess in my kitchen and you will be the culprit

[@cincocats320]

I was so happy to wake up this morning and a video posted! The whole process of natural dying is so nerve wracking and exciting. I'm glad you got results you were happy with. I really like your idea of exploring how different color base wools will affect the final color. And your kitty supervisor is SO cute and fluffy🤩!

[@thegracklepeck]

I loved this! Natural dye techniques are so interesting. That made such a lovely shade of green!

[@lulumoon9]

The green is so beautiful!!! I can't wait to see your completed costume!

[@daoulatisaid3000]

Coool Welcome back and thank you!! Like it.

[@ZannaMint]

These colors are absolutely Gorgeous!

[@juliamoor6544]

So happy to have the video back. Now I kind of want to try this and I do not need another hobby

[@user-vp1nh8xk1s]

I’m so excited to see this video is finally up!!! I have missed you and your content!!!

[@myrrysmaikku]

Nice, i’m so happy that people are rediscovering the natural dyes :) It would also be cool to see you try to actually make some fabric of your own!

[@smuki196]

I once achieved a beautiful green very similar to this with alum and blood plum on wool. I made yarn and knitted a toad from it, lol. I believe red onion peels work too :)

[@huskamania]

Sooooo lovely to see you again. It’s been a while xx

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Yes it has! 😭

[@alexandria3583]

im so happy to see an upload from you! love your videos

[@simig2793]

Omg I was wondering where the video went 😭 But so glad you're back and just a side note, I love loved loved the video 😍💖

[@jygood3718]

What fun. I really enjoyed your musings as you decided what to do. I go through the same process every time I dye something. Thanks for sharing 🌟👍

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

And thank you for watching! ☀️

[@mnels5214]

I cannot wait to see the kirtle & jacket with those colors, I am sure it will be amazing!!!!

[@VickieV1333]

I’m so happy to see this video!! I’ve missed you! For some reason I did not get a notification of this one. Anyway, I’m ready for more, please 🙏🏻

[@ЕвгенияАрефьева-й5т]

Great job! A very beautiful colour!

[@natashawakefield8879]

The colours turned out beautiful. You could try the pink with avocado stones and skins.

[@Maddolelady]

Try cheese cloth to put you plants in. I use this when making g jam. The colors come through nicely. Less mess to clean up.

[@adedow1333]

Elin! I have missed you! I'm glad to see you today!

[@bookwrm150]

Hi! This isn’t the purpose of your channel but where did you purchase your trousers from? I love the style and would love to purchase/sew them.

[@gavinjenkins899]

I made some lake paints out of pomegranate skin dye (same luteolin chemical as in weld), and could barely STOP it from turning green from just the tiniest little bits of iron contamination. It did usually only show up when adding washing soda (a step needed to make solid pigments), so it may need to be basic, too.

[@mariellejetten8538]

You're back!!!! The results are so beautiful!!!

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Thank you! ❤️

[@wyldweaverandwyrm]

So happy to see another video from you, hope your studies are going well. Your dye videos have inspired me to try plant dyeing myself!

[@l.m.2404]

I have been trying to produce a deep, rich green through over dying with not a lot of success so I have resorted to sending away for mulberry leaf dye from India. So far I have experimented with chamomile, buckthorn, alum, iron and cream of tartar.

[@onepurpleostrich]

Adding more and more different fabrics that originally weren't meant to be dyed is a mood 😂 BTW I'm really happy you're back

[@emilyblythe7525]

I love these videos- can’t wait to see when you sew with them!

[@jenniferknowles2023]

Some dyes don't reach their true color until it gets exposed to the air.

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

True, and something that became even more clear here!

[@borealchorusstudio]

awesome! Love that this worked so well! I have heard this working with onion skin as well. Iron with the onion skins. I haven't tried it yet, but I think I will now.

[@an_evening_star_rose5991]

I love this video! I always appreciate how you take us through the whole journey even when things don’t go as planned, it makes the end result so much more satisfying.

[@rosebud5221]

I can’t wait to see the outfit you make!!

[@sassysuzy4u]

Great Job! I love working with Iron and for a wonderfully fun experiment for you, try using a cast iron pot instead of stainless... it is always a surprise what colour you end up with!

[@infamoussphere7228]

This was lovely! I always enjoy seeing people dye things! I'm not a natural dye expert, but I've done a little bit of it at uni, and at least in my understanding you can *just* use iron as a mordant, without using any alum - and you can even use iron nails or rusty pieces of iron rather than an iron compound. It apparently "saddens" the colour, meaning you get dark greenish tones, greys and blacks.

[@yourlocalscribe948]

iron the same thing as iron gall?

[@cherylstraub5970]

You can add alum to the dye bath when you have forgotten to pre mordent the fabric.

[@mrsta1267]

Beautiful color combination!

[@miriamgillham6701]

Again, well done on this! Love the colours all over again!

[@Bowmanville100]

I enjoy your videos a lot. Thank you very much for them.

[@doreenwatson-read]

I loved that. Wouldn't it be fun to have an outside space where you could boil the water over a fire and get some sort of aid to help you lift the water, etc? I am now going to fall down the internet to find out what that might be, mixing old and modern techniques. a long time ago I made wine, and to get the liquid from one container to another I would use a syphon, I was thinking you could do that with a filter on the end to stop the crud from transferring into your clean pot

[@dragonqueenarts]

Where do you buy your fabric? It looks really amazing for making kirtles.

[@kellimbt]

So nice to see you again, Elin! You did a great job with this.

[@fabioferreiragomes]

ESPETACULAR.INCRÍVEL..MARAVILHOSA

[@Labiamajorasmask]

I was just thinking of you!! So happy to see a new video, this was so cool! That shade of green is my absolute favorite, it turned out beautiful!

[@TheMetatronGirl]

So glad to see you back, and to see your successful experiment. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the costume you make! May life bring love, light, and blessings to you and yours.

[@elinabrahamsson9442]

Thank you so much! Yes I am actually quite excited too 😂