Iron is both used as a mordant and modifier in natural dyeing. Typically as a mordant in cellulose fibers and a modifier in protien fibers. Modifiers are chemicals that are used to alter (or modify) the chemical structure of the dye molecules thus changing the color outcome. In iron’s case, by dulling the colors and making them moodier.
Some folks use iron in its powdered form (Ferrous sulfate) and some simple use old rusted nails. I chose to do the later, since we have some old rusty nails and bits and bobs laying around the homestead.
After collecting a few handfuls of old rusty items, I lightly rinsed off any dirt then added to my solar dye baths of marigold, mullien, ox eye daisies and queen anne’s lace. All of these dyes typically give shades of yellow or cream.
Overnight the marigold dye bath turned black! So dark that I couldnt see much sunlight through the jar at all. And these are all in clear jars, by the way. After a few days the marigold flowers themselves turned black.
The marigold + iron results on mohair/silk blend yarn.
I decided to dye some cotton fabric, bfl yarn and some mohair/silk yarn in marigolds. All premordanted, the yarns with alum and the cotton with soy milk.
The ox eye daisy bath was already exhausted by the time I added the iron, though, I didnt know. So, sadly, I haven no results to show for that dye bath.
They mullien however did produce a light fawn brown, which surprised me because I expected a green from it as well.
The queen anne’s lace dye didnt dissapoint at all. I was able to get several shades of green from two different dye baths. One was about a pound of flowers, the other a quart of flowers.
Queen annes lace results where typically similar to the marigold, first bath would yeild a deep green and the exhaust baths gave a nice sage green.
Queen Annes Lace dye bath #2
Madder dyed then dipped in a Queen Anne’s Lace + Iron bath
All in all, I love using iron. I’m able to acheive beautiful results every time. Though, I am biased as a lover of green.
Various results from Queen Anne’s Lace + Marigold