shibori indigo dyed wool felt pieces

In my very limited experience thus far with indigo I have found that it dyes carb based fibers ( like cotton, linen and hemp) better than protein based fibers ( like silk and wool) so I was really pleased with the result I got this past weekend with dyeing some 100% wool felt.  You might remember the curious cylindrical pieces from this photo. 

I have to admit when I unwrapped them I was completely taken with the imprint on the wood almost as much as the wool. 

I like that those of you who visit my flickr stream were intrigued by the image of a brand new substance I got in the mail to play with. It is kakishibu. ( I am sure that really helped). It is a powder derived from fermented persimmons and is a traditional dye stuff from Japan that can be mixed and then painted on. I have read many a warning about its smell but after working with indigo and woad fermentation vats all summer I find its smell quite pleasant. I first mixed it to a good gel like consitency and was just playing around with it on that indigo dyed piece of bookhou fabric. I love the color as is but the amazing thing about this stuff is that it gets better with time. Most natural dyes are light sensitive and fade with time but they say this will darken and become richer with time. I find that really fascinating.

It also has other properties that I will show you on the next little experiment. ( maybe tomorrow).

Comments

[gretchen]

gorgeous!!!! love the dark teal color! and you are right--the wood is artwork as well!!! lovely! thank you for all of your inspiration. wish we could take a walk in the woods sometime!

[Geninne]

Absolutely fascinating! The wool felt is really gorgeous with the wood texture. Can wait to see how the kakishibu changes with time. How wonderful that you can paint with it directly onto the fabric.. Arounna's triangles look so beautiful with a punch of color.
Are those chestnuts????

[{gemmifer}]

I love seeing all of your dyeing experiments... how beautifully unexpected those patterns on the wood are too! I'm intrigued to read more about how you're using the kakishibu; it looks like such an interesting and useful product.

[Nicole]

I love the pattern on the wood too! One of them reminds me of Muskoka pines.

Curious to hear more about the interesting properties of kakishibu. I had never heard of it before.

[melissa]

oh, so lovely.
and i can sense some autumn light in your photos!

[barbara]

these are really wonderful colours
and the indigo dye results from the wook are great, you should work b i g g e r, what say?

[Michaelanneneal]

Fascinating...wonderful results! The imprint on the wood reminds me of pine tree silhouettes..Lovely, as always..

[Monica]

indigo must be the most gorgeous shade of blue in nature. It's a warm blue. It makes me happy.

[joanie]

Wonderful shibori results and on the wood too! I love the sound of the paint on dye, fantastic colour - from persimmons!

[rae]

fascinating, as always. i, too, was taken by the design on the wood. i love conkers!!!

[tara]

The pattern on one of the wood pieces reminds me of a Tom Thompson painting.

[k]

what a cool product - i hope you'll share if it does deepen and get richer over time. your ability to capture autumn light never ceases to amaze me - these photos have the best feeling about them. i love your little autumnal arrangements - and those chestnuts! one of my favourite fall signs, although i get a bit sad that i can't make chestnut soup any longer as last year i figured out i'm allergic.

[leah of sang the bird]

This technique looks amazing on arounna's fabric... I love the colour contrast of the triangles. Where to you buy kakishibu? Love the results on the wood blocks too xxx