Butter and eggs, otherwise called toadflax or Linaria vulgaris, is a herb native to Europe that was brought to North America by settlers for its medicinal and dye properties.
It grows wild all over North America and is usually found in big patches as its spreads through underground stems. The flowers resemble bright yellow snapdragons but are much hardier and can grow in partial shade.
Medicinal uses of toadflax include as diuretic to purge the body of excess water. The tea of toadflax can also be used to clean and disinfect wounds.
To dye wool yellow with toadflax, one simmers the fresh flowers at a just under boiling for about an hour or until they look bleached. The usual ratio for fresh plant material is two parts plant material for every one part wool.
While the flowers are simmering, make sure the wool is well scoured and then mordant it in an alum solution. Strain the dye solution, and then add the mordanted wool. Simmer for an hour or so, take it off the heat, and let the fiber cool while still in the dye bath.
Remove from the dye bath and rinse in cool water until it runs clear. Hang to dry out of direct sunlight.
Lili
Sources: Medicinal Plants by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay
Colors From Nature by Bobbi A. McRae
Go To Page: 1
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Lili Pintea-Reed's Fiber Arts topic, please visit the Discussions page.