I didn’t think I would be doing too much more experimenting with the botanical prints this season but I had such a lot of Cosmos in bloom, I thought I would have another go and try out the copper mordant that has been brewing.

Iron mordant(left) and copper slowly oxidizing. The vinegar will eventually turn blue.

An hour’s worth of hammering produced a very pretty print. Rather than roll this one, I folded it and put it in a sealed plastic bag with some copper mordant. Then I placed it in water, heated it and let it sit for half an hour. When I looked it was immediately obvious that all the beautiful pink pigment from the Cosmos had bled out! Disappointing, yes but the green chlorophyll pigment from the Cosmos leaves was lovely.

Above: The Cosmos print before the mordant process.

Right: The same cloth after the ‘failed’ mordant process.

My immediate thought is that the copper mordant is not strong enough yet. The cotton had been given the vinegar treatment so that should have helped. I also hammered on to wet cloth this time. I will not do that next time as the print is not so clearly defined.

There is a lot of information out there about eco dyeing with plants but I rather like experimenting. I could over print the cotton and try an alum mordant but again, I rather like the idea of making the copper solution. Flowers make a much more impressive print when fresh so let’s hope I am still enthusiastic in the spring, when I have more flowers. There is something more exciting about discovering for yourself!

In the meantime I have learned that some leaves give a wonderful green dye that appears to be permanent without much treatment. That’s satisfying enough.