Article and photos by Maggie Howe
My mum and I own a small herb farm in central Iowa . We purchased it years ago . As with many honest-to-god farm , it come with outbuildings full of old junk , and an ancient , abandoned refuse burning pile .
We ’ve spent years bit by bit make clean up the farm , and over the years unearthed many hoary objects such as fry goat god , weathervanes , and what seems like endless bucket of nails , conducting wire , putz and bolts .
I used to view these rusty items as a nuisance , but now that I ’ve key out the fun fine art and craft of rust dyeing , I enjoy find these rusty “ treasures . ”
What Is Rust Dyeing?Rust dyeing is an easy , fascinating elbow room to dye fabric . you could dye terrific imprint on cotton , silk , wool or even synthetic fibers using hoary “ stuff . ”
I ’ve dyed :
I ’ve even dyed silk ties and shirts to give as endowment – all using rust-brown nail , bolts , sprockets , hinges , wire and other rusty physical object found our two - acre farm .
What Is Rust … and What Will Rust?Rust is the common word for several course occurring smoothing iron oxides . These smoothing iron oxide are formed by the erosion of iron or steel ; this corroding happens when iron is peril to oxygen and water .
Rust will for good dye a variety of material , and can even dye other materials such as leather and newspaper . The resulting framework is completely colorfast , washable and entirely unique .
How Does It Work?The rust - dyeing unconscious process is extremely simple . When a hoary object is in contact with fabric , fiber or paper , it exit an imprint . We place our rusty token on our cloth , wet it with water and acetum to stimulate the oxidization ( rusting ) process , and go away the fabric and out of practice item together until we are satisfied with the coloring or design . Then we remove the point , wash the fabric and use it however we choose ! The whole process claim only a few days and requires little effort .
What do I need?Only a few simple items are needed for rust fungus dyeing . To begin dyeing , you should assemble :
I have found that cotton and silk are the dear textile for dyeing , but you’re able to try out with cotton fiber blends . Even some synthetic fibers will dye well ; you could experiment to notice out which I . woollen fabric will take dye , but the rust fungus tends to emblazon it a moment gratingly ; a woolen / cotton wool blend can be a better pick , if that work for your project .
determine , corrupt or foregather a compendium of out of practice items . Wire , nail , bolts , tools , sprockets , pan , cookery items , iron , tractor or car region , chain , hinges … the leaning is endless ! And once you set about rust fungus dyeing , you ’ll be scout service department gross sales , penny-pinching stores , oldtimer shops and auctions for unambiguously - shaped or – patterned rust items . you’re able to also use brand - new or used ( but sporting ) steel wool pads . you may use these point over , and over , and over again . you’re able to even corrode non - rusty iron detail . I found a motorcycle sprocket that was in pristine status , but I wanted it to rust ! I put it outside in a shallow pan with a scrap of salinity , water , and vinegar , and in a few weeks , it was fabulously hoary and ready for dyeing .
mean Outside the BoxYou can use snowy textile for the thoroughgoing rust color and clearest innovation , but do n’t be afraid to try out with non-white or even patterned fabrics . flake of stitchery or quilting cloth in various colour are wonderful for rusting dyeing ; you’re able to achieve batik - like effects and terrific color shifts by over dyeing colored fabrics . Look for neutral - colored instinctive fibre shirt , metric ton - shirts , skirts , tablecloths , or fabric scraps at service department sales or thrift stores . These can be turned into one - of - a - kind designer works of art with the lotion of a little rust .
If you want specific depression from your rusty items :
Keep your fabric slightly moist for the next few daytime ; this will aid the rust designs to develop . ( Tip : Weight down the fabric with small items such as rocks or bottleful if you want to make your impression clear . )
you may lay a plastic bag or sheet thinly over the fabric , but you also want to make certain air can hand the fabric as well . O is necessary for the rust to produce .
My favorite way to rust fungus - dye is to leave the items outside , exposed , for a few rainy or humid sidereal day !
Here are some more dyeing options :
The important thing is to verify that the rusty item are in contact with the fabric — that ’s how the dyeing occurs . This process can be as plan or as random as you wish . And you could not fail – if you do n’t wish your resolution , you could simply dye your cloth again with more rust-brown items .
Length of the Dyeing ProcessCheck your fabric once a day or so ; make indisputable it ’s damp , and see how the colour is developing .
Forlight coloration , you may only need to leave alone your dyeing projection for one Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
For verydark acute colour , you might leave it for 4 or 5 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
If left too long , the rust can eventually damage the fabric , especially if it is thin or frail ( I ’ve left silk too long and it developed hollow ) . However , if you check your fabric every solar day or so , you should not have any problems .
I find that the rust - dye develops more speedily in warmer environments ; I especially love rust fungus - dyeing alfresco in the summertime , as it goes very quickly .
rust fungus dyeing does damage the integrity of framework slightly ; however , I have witness my rust fungus - dye textile utterly worthy for crafting , wearing , quilting and sewing . Items with very strong or obscure rust fungus - dyestuff will be more difficult to sew , simply because your needle will dull apace .
Finishing Your Dyeing ProcessWhen you are quenched with the color and patterning of your fabric , remove the hoary items and keep them for use in your next project .
Next , immerse the fabric in a light saline solution ; this completely stops the rusting outgrowth and neutralizes the material . For the solution , I expend about one tablespoon of salt in a gallon of water .
Then lave the cloth as normal – if it ’s silk or wool , paw backwash with dishwashing liquidness and rinse thoroughly . If it ’s a cotton or synthetic , you may machine slipstream and wry as normal .
The only time I enjoy ironing is after I have just rust fungus - dyed some fabric or a garment . After it ’s wash , iron out it is sorewarding ! When it ’s iron , you could really see the wondrous patterns and fully enjoy the beauty of your dye project .
