Marking making with rust from found metal objects has intrigued me for some time. My introduction to "rust" dyeing came many years ago when a friend of a friend shared her rust and over dyed silk fabrics. Those patterns and colors are still fresh in my memory. Back then, I limited my experiments to the realm of paper (trying to keep focused) and was able to get some rust stains transferred by repeatedly dampening nails and letting them dry on top of some handmade paper sheets. Any visible rust particles were brushed off and cockled papers were pressed flat. The marks were not very dramatic so the experiment was filed under "been there, done that".
Recent trends in botanical printing and rust dyeing rekindled my rust interest. Deconstructed linen or cotton garments are folded. wrapped, clamped then layered with objects from my "rusty" collection. The fabric is spritzed with vinegar, covered and left to do it's thing.
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| cotton and linen resist dyed with rust |
In preparation for the Yahoo Papermaking Group 2014 Swatch Swap, I have a rust/paper experiment in progress. Sandwiched in plastic are dampened cotton waterleaf paper (white), a vintage metal door mat and dampened handmade paper (green daylily and aqua cotton waterleaf). Tick, tock.
My hope is that rust patterns will be transferred to the handmade paper. If successful, the patterned papers will be torn into 2" x 3" swatches and sent for inclusion in this years samples. If the experiment is not successful, there will still be time to make new paper (cotton with rust dyed linen thread waste inclusions).
Crossing my fingers and toes.
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