fig leaf dye

Somehow I read online that you can get a dye from fig leaves....

There are a few fig trees on UW campus, so I of course had to try it out.

The dyebath had a beautiful red/purple in it...but I got a pale green/brown with alum on 100% cotton. Not much to speak of.

I have plans of how to turn this dye trial into a useful product, but it will take a few more days to get ready...stay tuned.

p.s. The fig leaves produced a strong, sweet, coconut? odor when cooked. It is very persistent; I can still smell it on the wooden spoon I used and on the fabric I dyed.

I don't think I will dye with fig leaves again...but I'm glad I tried it :)