Rust Dyeing

Time to try something new.  

It seems a little whack-a-doo but that never stops me from trying something.  

In fact, it kinda makes it more tempting, doesn’t it?

The idea is pretty simple.  You take some metal that will rust and put it on or wrap it in some fabric.

Get them wet to encourage rusting.  

We added vinegar to some of the pieces and salt water to others to see which would encourage rusting  better.

I’m thrilled to be rusting this shirt.  It’s an Alabama Chanin design that I made with an old tee-shirt.  It fits me really well but I stopped sewing at this point when I saw the very light but also really big stain on the front.  Oh, that’s why that shirt was in the thrift shop.  So I’m rusting over the stain here, fingers crossed.

Bottle caps on a linen sleeve that is resting on a grate.

Soaking some washers and bottle caps in salt water.

The tool chest, including my ubiquitous cup of tea.

I looked for spray bottles at the dollar store but couldn’t find any so I bought these cool water cannon things.  

Way more fun to use than spray bottles.

These are Jennifer’s pieces, at least one is destined to be an apron.

Then we covered everything with a tarp.  We just need to keep it wet and hope for the best.  It should take about 24 hours to get rusted.  

Have you ever rust dyed? I’m curious to hear about people’s experiences.