Butterfly Moss Painting with Hyacinth Modified Dyes

Butterfly Moss voile, lace and silk dress modelled and purchased by Kathrin

Patchwork voile floral prints in green/charcoal/tan/ at sides and back; remnants from Jade Moss Voile Diamonds  Dress started with the pale green lace collar front and back taken from a lace dress, then patched sections were fitted to dummy.  Sides of front panel were fitted at a slant, which opens the flare of the butterfly panel which is cut and fitted on the bias, for flare.  Dress design could be repeated similarly, but in different fabrics and colours. Images taken at Totnes Artisan Market.

Butterfly Moss Dress - Gallery of Dye Project

Silk Dyeing and painting with modified Hyacinth dye

• Habotai silk was previously dyed with privet; lime yellow.  After immersion in blue hyacinth flower dye bath, the silk turned pale green.  Green intended to match with other fabrics used in dress. Similar print colours used in dress  Jade Moss Voile Diamonds  
• Gallery photos show starting with Shibori stitched butterfly onto the yellow.  Butterfly outlines resulted in feint yellow-green, so was discharged further with lemon juice and paint brush.
• Leaf print: Large dried acanthus leaf glued to card, varnished as a print block; printed with iron modified paste.
• Modifiers: Butterfly painted with dyes from hyacinth flowers: clockwise on colour wheel sample: Alum, Cream of Tartar, Citric Acid, Iron, Sodium Carbonate, Calcium Carbonate.  Some logwood and madder mixes were also added to give a stronger colour.
• After steaming the butterfly was paler, because I had overpainted with the various dye mixes, so the thickener had layered up and top colours didnt get through to the fabric. Lesson! However, the subtle result is pleasing and blends fine with the other prints.
• Click for gallery view