Magic Marbled Cloth

About

You Will Need (4 things)

Steps (9 steps, 20 minutes)

1. 1

   Collect a quantity of skins from brown and red (Spanish) onions. Have ready a piece of silk — habutai or crêpe de chine works well.

2. 2

   Lay the silk flat on the work surface and spread the onion skins over the silk.

3. 3

   Moisten using a hand-mister filled with vinegar (or any of the non-toxic home- made mordants). Starting at one edge, roll the silk with the onion skins inside.

4. 4

   When you have a sausage shape, roll that up as well. Tie tightly with string or fasten with rubber bands. Moisten the outside with a little more liquid, bundle in a plastic bag (or place in a jar with lid), and set aside for at least a week, preferably one month.

5. 5

   If mould appears, place the object in a snap-lock bag and freeze for a few days. Alternatively, steam it over boiling water for 30 minutes.

6. 6

   Unwrap, shaking off the plant material (this is best done outside in the garden if you have one).

7. 7

   Allow to dry, then press with a steam iron (use a pressing cloth). Allow to rest at least a few days before first rinsing.

8. 8

   The most difficult thing about this method is resisting opening the bundle to check on the colour!

9. 9

   Post-mordant in an iron-rich solution (or spray on using the hand-mister) and observe the colours change to olive greens and browns.