Rust Dyeing Joanna Henson

This month was an experimental session on rust dyeing led by one of our members Joanna Henson. Joanna had been busy out and about collecting larger rusty items that we could use to make interesting marks as well as our smaller items we had brought ourselves.

Joanna suggested several ways of making the marks by either

applying the rust object to the material and applying pressure while flat, or wrapping material around the object and tying tightly. The material needed to be kept moist to encourage rusting.

 We were then given several ways or combinations of ways of activating the rusting process, by using salt water, tea, spray cleaner or vinegar. Nice and messy and great fun!

 Once the objects were wrapped and the rust activated it was a case of waiting from one to several days depending on the colour wanted and the print so they were prepared ready to be taken home for the rusting to continue  working.
Joanna had kindly rust dyed a batch of material at home and it was already washed and ready to stitch into. We were amazed at the range and shades of the marks from pale yellows to dark rich oranges. There were amazing patterns in the rust marks just asking for some stitch and beads.

 Most members stitched by hand but one visitor decided to machine stitch

 Some members decided to use their stitched piece to make a card.

 Members went home with a bowlful of wrapped rusty items, a stitched piece and looking forward with excitement to unwrapping their rusted pieces when they felt the rusting was complete.
Thank you to Joanna for organizing the day and leading us through the process and suggesting ways to us of how we might use the rusted prints.
It was a fun day and we are all looking forward to our results!