The Natural Colors Cookbook by Maggie Pate

Author:Maggie Pate [Pate, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Page Street Publishing
Published: 2018-05-14T00:00:00+00:00

LAVENDER BUDS & FLOWERS

Oftentimes when I am experimenting with dyes, my hope is that the color of the plant will be mimicked in the dye results. I think it is common practice for the human mind to make these connections, but natural dyeing does not lend itself to such assumptions. In fact, magical surprises seem to be the only constant in natural dyeing.

Here we have an example of such opposition, in light lavender flowers and buds—these lovely purple flowers dye a neutral brown color. I pick my lavender straight from my backyard, and in the past I have used them to create simple syrups and madeleines. But when cooking isn’t the agenda, dyeing will suffice.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Lavender buds and flowers

2 large stainless steel pots

Mesh strainer

Pre-scoured and pre-mordanted fabric

Kitchen thermometer

FIBER RECOMMENDATION

Cellulose and protein

FOOD WASTE TO FIBER RATIO

5 to 1

After gathering your lavender buds, place them at the bottom of one of the large stainless steel pots. Fill the pot ¾ full of warm water and let the buds soak for about 1 hour.

Place the pot on a stove burner. With the burner on medium-low, slowly bring the temperature up to 180°F (82°C). Steam should be rising from the pot but the water should not boil. Hold the temperature for 1 hour.

You will notice that as the dye bath turns a neutral brown hue the lavender buds will turn from purple and green to an olive-brown color. As an added perk, your kitchen will smell like a spa! Strain the lavender flowers from the dye bath with the mesh strainer and the second pot and place the second pot on the stove top. Submerge your pre-scoured and pre-mordanted fabric into the dye bath. With your stove top burner on medium-low heat, bring the dye bath up to 180°F (82°C) and let it simmer for 1 hour.

Turn off the heat and let your fiber cool in the dye bath overnight. Rinse the fabric in cool water and then hang it to dry out of direct sunlight.

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