Golden Michaelmas Capes made with Marigold Dye

This is a magical activity to do leading up to Michaelmas. the children are in awe when they are able to turn the plain white capes to gold. When you present the children with the capes you may say: “I give you this cape of light, to give you courage, strength, and might.”  

1.      Wash silk

2.      Sew a hemmed a casing along one seam using silk thread if possible

3.      Prepare dye bath: 30 cups of water + 10 large handfuls of dried marigold petals. Soak overnight.

4.      Warm the petals and water on the stove the next day. Gave the children some petals to add and stir into the mixture. They love this part.

5.      Squeeze the petals with our hands, to try to extract more dye.

6.      Strain the petals through a metal colander into another pot.

7.      Strain the dye bath again through cheesecloth.

8.      Return to the stove and added:

a.     1 TBS Alum

b.     1 tsp Cream of Tartar

9.      Heat to a simmer on medium heat.

10. Add swatch and it turned yellow.

11. Wet silks, squeezed out the water a little bit, and add them to the dye bath.

12. Simmer the capes for about 30 minutes – 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

13. Rinse in cool water. Hang to dry. Iron, then add cotton piping or yarn through the casing.

 Good luck!