Red iron ore- anyone used it ?

[angela]

I was at Florence Mine art centre ( uk) and they were asking me if I could use the red iron ore to dye sheeps wool. They make a red paint from the powder by grinding up the ore.

http://www.florencemine.com          if anyone wants to have a look.  I said that I would ask the people in the know.

[MTRuth]

I haven't heard of using red iron ore for a dye but it doesn't mean it wouldn't work.

[Pandagirl]

I haven't either. I imagine it's finding the right mordant. Grinding the ire sounds more like making a pigment for color.

[Shepherdess]

Iron in you dye pot will sadden your dye. That's why you have to make sure enamel pots do not have chips before you use them for dye.
You could give it a try. The one place I have seen iron used in dying lately is using rusty iron in the eco dying where you wrap up the fabric and leave it outside.

[angela]

thank you all for the advice. The idea of using it to dye fabric is interesting.