Setting up for alkaline extraction method with madder root – adding washing soda
And then testing for the ph – looking for ph 9-10 but we were a bit over
We also set up a dye bath for Sticklac – a resin secreted by insects
We added vinegar to the sticklac solution to lower the pH
Sticklac samples including the usual modifiers
And then we had a surprise visit from one of Santa’s little helpers. (The hat wiggled and played a tune of sorts).
And out of a sack came a parcel for everyone
A hand knitted pair of mits. Santa’s helper had been very busy. This pair had been dyed with woad harvested from Brighton earlier this year.
Jenny brought in a wonderful collection of indigo dyed fabrics from around the world.
This fabric was stitched up with raffia before dyeing and most of the stitching was yet to be removed.
