Name _________________________________

Date ___________________ Pd____________

Ethiopian Inspired Natural Dyeing Lab

Abstract: A huge part of Ethiopian culture is located in its weaving tradition. In order to create different colored thread, natural dyes are made from various vegetable and fruit extracts. Today, you and your group members will be working in the lab to create natural dyes.

Materials : Beaker TongsHot Plate NaClWool yarn Red cabbage, blackberries, raspberries, etcDrying rack WaterPlastic knife Paper towel

Procedure:1. Bring water to a boil with ½ cup of NaCl2. Place yarn into water3. Cut up vegetables/fruit and place into separate beaker4. Drain yarn and place in vegetable/fruit extract5. Let soak until desired color6. Rinse in room temperature water7. Let hang to dry

Questions:1. What is the mordant in this procedure? What is it used for?

2. Describe the relationship between time and color intensity?

3. Draw a graph to represent this relationship: Time (y axis), Color Intensity 1-10 (x axis)

Created by: Meghan Chidsey- Teaching the Human Experience, Fulbright Hays Ethiopia 2009

Name _________________________________

Created by: Meghan Chidsey- Teaching the Human Experience, Fulbright Hays Ethiopia 2009

Date ___________________ Pd____________

Ethiopian Inspired Natural Dyeing Lab

Abstract: A huge part of Ethiopian culture is located in its weaving tradition. In order to create different colored thread, natural dyes are made from various vegetable and fruit extracts. Today, you and your group members will be working in the lab to create natural dyes.

Materials : Beaker TongsHot Plate Kool Aid (several colored packs)Wool yarn Drying rackPaper towel StrainerStirring rod

Procedure:1. Wash yarn lightly with mild soap and let strain in sink2. Empty package of drink mix into beaker of water (1pkg of drink mix per 28.35 g yarn)3. Stir with stirring rod until dissolved4. Add yarn to beaker and place on hotplate5. Heat to nearly boiling6. Turn off and cover beaker7. Leave beaker covered until water is clear (30 min)8. Teacher will remove and hang to dry

Questions:1. What is the mordant in this procedure? How do you know?

2. Describe the relationship between time and color intensity?

3. Draw a graph to represent this relationship: Time (y axis), Color Intensity 1-10 (x axis)

Created by: Meghan Chidsey- Teaching the Human Experience, Fulbright Hays Ethiopia 2009

Name _________________________________

Date ___________________ Pd____________

Ethiopian Weaving Technique!

Created by: Meghan Chidsey- Teaching the Human Experience, Fulbright Hays Ethiopia 2009

Weaving in Ethiopia has been a tradition and source of livelihood, passed down from generation to generation. The skill involved in spinning cotton, spooling thread, and ultimately weaving blankets, scarves, and clothing on wooden looms is the work of countless hours and skilled hands.

Today, you will be creating a loom and using your dyed yarn from yesterday’s lab to create a woven creation.

Draw/design color scheme on back!

Pre-Making the Loom:1. Cut a 12”x 7” piece of cardboard or mat-board2. On the back draw a 1” border on all four edges3. Mark every ¼ “ along the top and bottom4. Cut down to the 1” mark5. Make a knot 6” long in rope and hook behind first slit6. Thread string, up and down loom, keeping the string only on the front7. Tie extra on the back with the beginning of the string.

Weaving:1. Tie end of colored yarn at top of loom’s upper right string2. Thread yarn in plastic needle3. Weave using over/under technique4. Use fingers to compress each new row5. Tip- do not pull too tightly or design will become “pinched”

Directions courtesy of Bunki Kramer, Los Cerros Middle School

Created by: Meghan Chidsey- Teaching the Human Experience, Fulbright Hays Ethiopia 2009