The Mysterious Iron Blanket
I am finally figuring it all out… well almost. When I first set my sights on the magic of Eco Printing I felt like I was trying to solve some crazy secret puzzle. Now, let me make it easier for you and answer one of those common questions; the Iron Blanket.
Those who had an idea how it all worked wanted to keep it to themselves, and I understand as it could be quite the commodity; like some magic recipe. Well, I feel like I am finally understanding what is happening in and around those bundles, but I would not call myself an expert either!
What is the Iron Blanket?
I get that question quite often. It is a carrier blanket that brings iron to the fabric that you are printing on. Carriers are pieces of cotton fabric or similar material (even paper towels) that will absorb the liquid solution that you’d like to combine into your combination of colour dyes and mordants and in this case it brings the iron component.
How to Make an Iron Blanket:
When I first started to ‘make’ my iron solution I used the method of soaking rusty stuff in water with/without vinegar. The problem was that it was really difficult to see how strong the concentration was. It was quite easy and did work once I had made some test runs. Buying iron sulphate is quite inexpensive and can be found in garden centres as well. It is much easier to gauge and measure for some consistency. Having said that though I still am not so fussy with exact measurements. Generally about 1 teaspoon per gallon of water is a good starting point. It’s as easy as just letting the fabric soak for a few minutes or longer before wringing out and using. Making sure the size ‘fits’ the project is also important.
How to Use an Iron Blanket:
In this above image the iron blanket is being layered above the leaves placed on the pre-dyed (cochineal) silk. The barrier (paper or plastic) will then be placed above or below to prevent ghosting through of the prints. But those are not steadfast rules as varying can make for some amazing results!
What does the Iron Blanket do?
After the processing of either simmering or steaming or my ‘alternate’ processing the unrolling is quite interesting… Notice the way that the leaves have very defined edges? As I understand that is from the tannins adhering to the metal ions and in this case it is the iron. Since the entire fabric on the right is not rich with iron it prints more around the edges where the iron and tannins meet and ‘have fun’.
There are usually pretty prints on both but quite different in style. Since the iron is absorbed into the ‘Blanket’ fabric those prints are usually quite dark and not as ‘outlined’ as the ‘host’ fabric. This allows that you can actually create 2 printed pieces at once.
I use old cotton bedsheets and often retire them to use for other purposes since they are so beautiful. This would be considered the same as only dipping the fabric in an iron solution to have the tannin rich leaves print.
Notice the difference?
The images above show the use of the same leaves however the centre ones were printed with the use of the Iron Blankets. I increased the concentration as some are quite boldly outlined. The outer samples were printed with the same processing however the leaves were just dipped in the iron solution (no ‘blanket’ used).
In this case the dye colour actually printed back from the main fabric to create some lovely details on the Iron Blanket. Often multiple use will also give them much depth.
So many…
After having printed so many (yes I am a bit obsessed when I am determined) I amassed so many in varying tones. That gave me the idea to use them in a quilt. I understand that iron (especially overuse) can degrade the fabric over time but I still wonder if we are talking 50 or 100 hundred years?!
Make something with the Iron Blankets!
The variety of patterns was easy to work with as the colours seem to be made to compliment each other. This Art Quilt brings nature in with the most unique fabric prints.
Some up-cycling of leather combines with more of the ‘Iron Blankets’ to make some Eco Printed Journal Covers. Once used the blankets can be washed and used again and again building up darker prints.
I hope I have the mystery for you and have opened up your world of Eco Printing! I am open to any suggestions or comments in this evolving art form.
What a great tutorial! Do you have any experience using layers of watercolor paper?
I have printed on paper and do love it as well! I am hoping to try some variations quite soon… Happy printing!
Barb, I’m beyond happy right now. I searched and searched how to get the halo effect like you got on the cochineal. Your tutorial was incredibly helpful. I did it!!!!! Thank you, Thank you for sharing. It is such a gift. Truly.
Hayley 🌸
Ah yes! I had a heck of a time at the beginning trying to break the mystery! Hopefully I have not gained any enemies for letting out the secrets! Happy printing!
Barb your work is really beautiful and I think it is most generous of you to share your knowledge like you have. I have to confess that I haven’t the faintest idea where to start but maybe I should just google ‘iron blanket printing’? I live in South Africa 🙂
I would start with some old sheets and some basic prints. Check out my posts here for a bunch of posts on ‘Eco Printing’ The iron blanket is just a method of eco printing. Figuring out what leaves are good in your area is also an experiment… Don’t despair, channel your inner ‘India Flint’!
Thanks for your generous sharing of your methods.
It’s been a long journey of reading, testing, trying and hoping. BUT it’s a fun one, I hope it’s inspired you…
Hi and thank you so much for all your info. I’ve got loads of questions as I’m just starting to get my head around this process. If you use an iron blanket do you not need to use an iron mordant?
Thank you so much, Irene
Usually I only use the iron in one form, but you never know if you are going to ‘invent’ the next new way! Happy experimenting!
That quilt is amazing! Love your process.
Thanks! It’s so hard not to use those byproducts of eco printing.
When you use the iron blanket, do you still mordant the fabric or is the blanket enough?
You should still mordant the fabric. The exception can be silk or wool as they print quite easily. Tests are best to assure you are on the right track. Good luck!
Hi Barb! Thanks for sharing your method. I’m from Brazil and I work with natural dyes and eco printing. I have a doubt about this method you just explained. Is it necessary a iron dip on the leaves before lay them onto the fabric? Thanks again
Drica
Well, if you use an ‘iron blanket’ then the leaves should not be dipped in iron. Bringing iron in one way is enough. These maples were dipped in iron. Glad to hear you also do eco printing!
Hi Barb! I’m from Bolivia! And i’ve been experimenting since about 2 months ago with eco print, I fell in love with this art, it’s truly very addictive. I have follow your advices and techniques just with vinager and “iron liquor”, I haven’t been able to find alum, but I had very good results in my first attempts. I really thank you for your blog. Oh, and there’s one thing, I’ m not being able to see the images in your blog, they appear just in pinterest. Thanks again!!
Great! I love eco printing too! Make sure are directly at my site, there’s lots of pictures in each post. https://www.madebybarb.com/category/at-home/eco-printing/ Good luck!
Oda!! Eres un ser maravilloso y generoso por brindar esta información! ! Brindo por el arte textil como vehiculo de nuestras cosmovisiones y distintas geografías. Abrazos!
” You are a wonderful and generous being for providing this information! ! I provide textile art as a vehicle for our worldviews and different geographies. Hugs!” It sounds like you are having fun! Great to hear!
Hi Barb, I’m a french girl who wants to thank you so much !
Your work is amazing, generous and a beautiful inspiration!
I’m so impressed with your results!! Write a book please you’re so talented!
Maybe I will! You are not the first to suggest it!