Rust dying

[Fabricslut]

I took a go at rust dying yesterday for the first time. I didn't have any rusty bits to use so a wrapped my 2 cast iron frying pans in muslin with some interesting circular patterns. I even managed to get some of the name engraved on the bottom of the big one. Lord knows what I'll do with them but I'm now wanting to brave the frigid temps here today to go out and dig in the garage for more inspiration.

For those who've tried this, what is the most interesting thing you've used when rust dying?

[Marti]

I tried rust dyeing a couple of months ago. I used rusty rebar and and did a Shibori thing to wrap the fabric around the rebar. My first try was OK, and I stupidly used the same fabric again for a better result, and the vinegar took out the previous "dye." I finally completed a wall hanging that had a deadline, so have the time to create fabric for no particular reason again. Rust dyeing is on my list of things to do and soon.

However, I was able to use some pieces of my first attempt in a new project I am working on -- I did layers and layers of rubber stamps on the fabric and the little bits of rust dye added to the "new" fabric.

The fabric I used was PFD from Test Fabrics -- number 419.

[Fabricslut]

we had our annual street sale last weekend and the only thing I bought was an old toolbox with rusty old tools and bits in it. I've not had a chance to try it yet. A friend is borrowing it all tomorrow to experiment with rust dying with her daughter. I'll get her to take some photos. I've been dragging home any number of rusty bits I find in my travels, even rusty flattened cans. I get some interesting looks from passing folk.

[Bryndis Borgedottir.]

I have never tried this but have seen fabrics that were dyed with rust. I have always wanted to try it by myself. Must be fun. Yours were lovely!! I saw once curtains that were dyed with rust and they were beautiful. I have just read that if you want to make metal rusted , then spray the metal with vinegar or chloride.

[Janine]

Have you tried shibori?
I am just learning it. What you say here about rust sounds interesting. I wonder about wrapping and tying the silk around rusty nails or objects to gain the shibori tye dye results..
The great thing is being able to experiment.

[Tracy Murray]

I went to a niknak house shop one time and picked up a metal "door mat". looks like an iron fence with intricate pattern. It had paint on it so I took it to home depot and got some paint remover. Then I sprayed it with vinegar and kept it in a plastic box with a lid. Every few days I would respray it. This creates bigger rust "crystals". I then took the metal peice out and let it air dry. I put a few inchs of gravel (small stones the size of corn) in the plastic box, layed the metal piece on the rocks, layed a wet (with vinegar and water) piece of cotton on to the metal and covered it with rocks. This helped to keep the fabric close to the metal, and the rocks under helped with drainage, the fabric stay moist but not satuated. The lid helped so that the evaporation was kept to a minimum. I would pour vinegar and water over the gravel every couple days. I think I had it in there for a week or so but it makes beautiful prints!

[Tracy Murray]

first is the metal grate.
second is rust on silk
third is rust on cotton

[arlee barr]

Tracy, those are marvellous results! (I'll have to get some of the older metal flower grates we have at the shop now:})
I collect a lot of my rusty bits either on my walks, or go to the "Pick_a_Part" scrapyard with my Greyman---lots of interesting bits there that the rest of the customers think are truly scrap:}
I found weightingthe fabric down too has beter results, as does keeping it warm and wet. If you let it dry naturally out in the sun, as the water evaporates, some areas become more distinct as well.
Throw a couple of tea bags in there on top of some areas and you'll get a lovely deep purpley balck sometimes---even the "green tea" works! My "Mitochondrial:Incubation 1" has the rusty tea bags in it :} but no rusted fabrics.

[Sarah Ellis]

hmmm...I like the cast-iron frying pan idea...have my "SAINTED" ex-husband's, as well as mine, so I guess I'll use his!!! (other items, too, but this idea REALLY appeals to me!!!) Thanks.

[Dolores]

I liked the triple circle rust dye. I tried my first attempt this week. You can see my results at my blog.

[Pat Spiller]

Wow, Patti, thanks for sharing your process and results. I've been wanting to try rust dyeing but, like you, I don't own any rusty things.....now I know a way around that......