Aubergine Pure Silk Scarf Botanically Printed with Leaves

Description

Aubergine Pure Silk Scarf Botanically Printed with Leaves – a medium-weight pure silk twill weave scarf with hand-rolled hems which I have printed using local leaves and dyed with a blend of natural dyes. I printed this scarf using goldenrod, buddleia, rosebay willow herb and staghorn sumac leaves in shades of lime, moss, slate and vibrant green contrasting nicely with the aubergine background. A richly coloured accent to grace any day with.

Measurements: 150cm x 40cm

The Fabric:

Silk twill fabric is a type of smooth silk with a very slightly textured weave in a diagonal stripe pattern, known as a twill weave. This fabric is sturdier than plain weave silk and better withstands wear and tear. It has an elegant drape and is less prone to wrinkling. It is lightweight,  has a lovely sheen, and is ideal for special occasions and every day wear.

My Process:
Natural dyeing requires very careful preparation of the fabric, to remove anything leftover from the manufacturing process, and to then treat it so that the dye colour will be long lasting. I use some powdered dye extracts as well as dyes from my own dye garden and surrounding plants. i regularly forage for leaves on my walks and from my own garden plants which I’ve selected for their printing properties. My mental map of my local area is formed around the trees and plants I have come to know and love, whether in car park, on a roundabout, deep in the forest, or outside the local scout hut! Fabric and leaves together are steamed for one to two hours to extract the pigments from the leaves and flowers leaving their beautifully detailed shapes and veining immortalised in the fabric.

Naturally dyed fabrics will fade when exposed to strong sunlight so to keep the colours bright, it is best to store your scarf somewhere away from direct light.

The colours are also best preserved by using a natural soap for washing, certainly don’t use anything that involves chemical ‘brighteners’.

Hand wash or gentle machine wash, then iron whilst still damp for best results.