|
Oilcloth
May 12, 2019 3:06:51 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by hawkeyes on May 12, 2019 3:06:51 GMT -7
Exceptional quality in responses, I absolutely love seeing past events and accounts in the context we see it in the period documentation.
Its a funny thing, not much has changed in the way of human nature concerning fashionable items and the like even today. I for one would be labeled a outcast of society with my fashion style from canvas work pants and flannel shirts to boots.
The conversation of oilcloth is a very interesting one for sure. So many times I'm asked why my "canvas" is a red/ brown color and not what is considered "normal" amongst the masses. Well because I have oilcloth, a true period accessory! It certainly shows how dedicated those of us are to the conservation of what we love by nailing down those little details.
I for one carry a small 5x5 piece of oilcloth, very small for most but one also must be mindful of weight and carrying the cloth. As Keith pointed out, the woodsman was a expert on woodland survival, no doubts there. It's certain they also utilized what nature provided in conjunction with what they had for shelter purposes. This concept is something I've adapted to and have been successful with throughout my years.
|
|
|
Post by Black Hand on May 12, 2019 5:12:08 GMT -7
I've spent more than one night sleeping under a tree in the rain. Not my favorite...but the experience is realistic!
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on May 12, 2019 5:20:56 GMT -7
I've spent more than one night sleeping under a tree in the rain. Not my favorite...but the experience is realistic! No joke there, unfortunately I've had more than my share of those experiences. It's amazing though what a small peice of cloth and pine branches can do. Starting at the bottom and thatching up they make a wonderful lean-to with a fire in front.
|
|
|
Post by Black Hand on May 12, 2019 6:04:37 GMT -7
It was the lightning flashes seen through the eyelids at 1am that were entertaining UNTIL it started to rain. Not even my dog, a Lab, wanted to be out. He isn't a snuggler, but he spent the night under my blanket while I was sitting under a tree trying to stay somewhat dry...
|
|
|
Post by straekat on May 12, 2019 11:20:02 GMT -7
Keith's suggestion seems very possible, depending on what pigments are used and combined. Mixing minerals with plant-based colors might not be very stable, or the results predictable and constant. Also, could the item have been dyed one color, and then over-died? (I don't know....) Without being able to examine the "purple" item, we don't know if that was the original color, or the result of the dyes used breaking down over time, through aging or degradation under light, etc.
I suspect it's possible to create a natural die that would take, although how well it would hold up through laundering/cleaning, use, and exposure to light and those effects, would have to be done through experimentation.
BH's mention of log-wood reminds me that logwood dies were used during the ACW era to dye thread blue for the construction of Federal uniform blouses and frock coats. Over time, the logwood dies faded out into the brownish spectrum. Surviving clothing studied by re-enactors during the 1970's lead many people to believe that the uniforms were originally sewn using brown thread so that army clothing depots could check the number of machine stitches per inch (and seam strength) as one criteria for acceptance by military inspectors. Eventually studies indicated the chemical structure of the logwood dies were not stable, and aging plus exposure to light was an issue collectors and early reenactors did not realize.
|
|
|
Post by Black Hand on May 12, 2019 11:49:11 GMT -7
Logwood purple is well-known for not being light-fast. However, when combined with iron, it does yield a light-fast black color which appears to be the basis for the black-dyed items of the period. On cotton with no mordant, I have gotten a yellow-brown similar to that of Carhartt pants/jackets.
One can get Logwood from the sporting goods store - sold as Trap Dye.
|
|
|
Post by straekat on May 12, 2019 12:44:43 GMT -7
A web-search is turning up some interesting ways of making purple dyes using relatively common plants:
I don't know how color-fast these are, however I suspect there are many possibilities here.
|
|
Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
|
Post by Keith on May 12, 2019 17:37:04 GMT -7
Exceptional quality in responses, I absolutely love seeing past events and accounts in the context we see it in the period documentation. Its a funny thing, not much has changed in the way of human nature concerning fashionable items and the like even today. I for one would be labeled a outcast of society with my fashion style from canvas work pants and flannel shirts to boots. The conversation of oilcloth is a very interesting one for sure. So many times I'm asked why my "canvas" is a red/ brown color and not what is considered "normal" amongst the masses. Well because I have oilcloth, a true period accessory! It certainly shows how dedicated those of us are to the conservation of what we love by nailing down those little details. I for one carry a small 5x5 piece of oilcloth, very small for most but one also must be mindful of weight and carrying the cloth. As Keith pointed out, the woodsman was a expert on woodland survival, no doubts there. It's certain they also utilized what nature provided in conjunction with what they had for shelter purposes. This concept is something I've adapted to and have been successful with throughout my years. Good post hawkeyes. This is why I actually cut my oilcloth down to the size it is, slightly larger than yours, but small by modern standards. Weight matters as you say, & there was no standard size back then for civilian use. We see the advantage in something, & we grab it. We make do with it. If I have to curl up under my oilcloth to stay dry in the rain or snow, then that is just the way it is, & I think myself lucky the oilcloth that I came by was no smaller than it is. Keith.
|
|
Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
|
Post by Keith on May 12, 2019 17:41:28 GMT -7
Keith's suggestion seems very possible, depending on what pigments are used and combined. Mixing minerals with plant-based colors might not be very stable, or the results predictable and constant. Also, could the item have been dyed one color, and then over-died? (I don't know....) Without being able to examine the "purple" item, we don't know if that was the original color, or the result of the dyes used breaking down over time, through aging or degradation under light, etc.
I suspect it's possible to create a natural die that would take, although how well it would hold up through laundering/cleaning, use, and exposure to light and those effects, would have to be done through experimentation.
BH's mention of log-wood reminds me that logwood dies were used during the ACW era to dye thread blue for the construction of Federal uniform blouses and frock coats. Over time, the logwood dies faded out into the brownish spectrum. Surviving clothing studied by re-enactors during the 1970's lead many people to believe that the uniforms were originally sewn using brown thread so that army clothing depots could check the number of machine stitches per inch (and seam strength) as one criteria for acceptance by military inspectors. Eventually studies indicated the chemical structure of the logwood dies were not stable, and aging plus exposure to light was an issue collectors and early reenactors did not realize.
This is exactly what happened to garters & sashes, the original items we see today are not the same colour as they were originally. Keith.
|
|