Copyright Notice


Please note that the artwork and photographs used in this blog belong to me and should not be reproduced or used without my permission. Thank you.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Natural Dyeing with Avocado Skins

Well, who would have thought that such a beautiful pale pink colour could be achieved by dyeing with avocado skins?  I certainly didn't but saw the results myself after reading a couple of blog posts about this late last year and I was so taken with the idea that I thought I would give it a try.


I also got a wonderful book for Christmas (requested by me!) Eco Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles by India Flint which is full of information about using nature for dyeing purposes.  (I am still working my way through it.).

This is only my first attempt but I will certainly be trying other methods of dyeing for sure.  I simply boiled the avocado skins in an old saucepan not used for cooking for about 15 minutes and then added my fabrics -various types of lace, broderie anglais, canvas, an old piece of doily and other trim and then boiled that for about 25 minutes.  I am so pleased with the colour - it is such a delicate shade.


27 comments:

Rhonda said...

I sure wish I could see your blog, it is cut off, I only see your sidebar. I know you posted about why it appears this way to some of us.

This looks like a fabulous post.

Tina said...

Bartbara - For what I can see in the sidebar this piece looks awesome. I love the color and working with lace is my favorite too, as you probably already know.
xo Tina

Bunty said...

It works with Firefox and Google Chrome - any chance you could use these browsers? I am still trying to find out why it does this annoying thing.

Barbara

Laurie said...

It is a gorgeous color! I have never heard of this before! How amazing!

Dorthe said...

HI BARBARA
OH I`M GLAD TO BE ABLE TO SEE ALL AGAIN :) AND THIS POST IS SOOO BEAUTIFULL- LOVE THE FANTASTIC COLOR YOU ACHIEVED WITH THE AVOCADO SKIN.
XO,DORTHE

Anonymous said...

YEAH....I can read your blog now (jumping up and down).

I'm off to the store to buy an avacado. This effect is wonderful...and where did the pink come from? Oh, who cares....it's georgeous.

Hmmm, will have to see if I can lay my hands on a copy of that book you mentioned. Sounds like a good science project!

Missed you Barbara....but seems like you are back in full swing!
Darn blogger stuff!!

Have a lovely day,
Hugs,
Jan

Carol said...

Who would have thought that such a beautifully delicate color would have come from avocado skins. Amazing.

Joanne said...

Avocado skins - what a great idea - who knew!! Thanks for sharing.♥

ShabbyChicShaz said...

Think I'll be having some advocados for tea this week, lol. Wonderful effect, thanks for sharing

Angela said...

Oh wow! what a soft nice colour, I will try it today.
Thanks for sharing.
xoxox
Angela-lace

*Susycottage* said...

Come on! with the peel avocado!?
but you're brilliant, and the color is simply
enchanting,
compliments
Susy

Deborah said...

Lovely results!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

What a wonderful trick, thanks so much!!!!! I'll be trying this one.

Lululiz said...

Amazing results, I love those shades of pink. I will have to try this for myself.

Linda Vincent said...

I tried this too last year...lovely subtle colours! (And what beautiful lace you have there).
If you email me I'll give you the details of the spirit cloth workshop.
Thanks for the comment :-)
Linda x

Terri Gordon said...

Hi Barbara, This is so wonderful, it's hard to believe. I must try this. I hope this finds you well. We miss you in the Marie Group. Happy Valentines Day! Hugs, Terri

Jann said...

What a lovely color--and I just ate an avocado yesterday and threw away the skin--really! Luckily, I have another avocado in the fridge--guess what I'm going to do today? I've never heard of this, but now I'm very curious . . . it's so wonderful, this blogging world, and how generous everyone is with sharing their knowledge and ideas. Thanks for passing this along!

Shane Pollard said...

Oh Barbara
Did you hear me squealing from over there? I'm just so delighted that I can view your complete blog again... I was gettting withdrawal symptons!!!
The avocado dying produced wonderful results, such delicate shades of pink. I'll give it a try>
Beautiful laces, drool drool!!
hugs
Shane

Morna Crites-Moore said...

Wow - these are beautiful. I have that book and I love it. I will definitely try the avocado skins. Your photography is really lovely too. :-)

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

The shade is really pretty and I love that's it is done with a nature ingredient. I have to try that. Thank you for showing!
Hugs,
Julia

Textile and Stitch said...

Wow, I found you through the OWOH event and love all the pretty and useful things I'm finding here on your blog. Going to have to check out this book you mentioned for sure!

Angela said...

I just ordered the book today, can't wait for it..
Thanks,
xoxo,
Angela.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Barbara,

It was lovely to discover you and your beautiful blog, via Julia.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful way of dying. The pretty pale pink is just gorgeous and would like to try this. I like the idea of no nasty chemicals.

Happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

Thespoena McLaughlin said...

I so wish I had seen this last week when I had a bunch of avacado skins to use. Love love love the color they give. Going to try it out next time for sure! Thanks!

Karen said...

these really are very beautiful colours....

Anonymous said...

Just found this via Pinterest and I am amazed!! I was wondering how many avacados per water is needed? My hubby doesn't like them so I only buy 1 or 2 at a time.

Anonymous said...

How many items can you dye with one avocado? Approximately! Love the color..