- On the learning curve: Rust dyeing

First and foremost: I feel like I should know what these six-inch round metal things are ... can anyone out there enlighten me? They appear to have some copper, which would argue for some heat-transmitting function.

                            

Here's an overall view of the dyeing table after the second round. It was gray outside, so everything looks subdued compared to the other day ...

And the verdict on using water-soaked padding above and below the vinegar-soaked muslin is mixed. 

The hoped-for impression of my vintage cookie cutter came out more like the ghost of Christmas past ...

Whereas the decorative plate that was a bust the last time around, turned up a winner ...

                            

Still, since the overall results were less than stellar, I decided this would be a good opportunity to see what happens when rust-dyed cloth is put through the washing machine on a delicate cycle.

Not surprisingly, the faint rust stains and the turquoise washed out completely. But the good news is that the bold rust marks stayed true.

Next up: thicker padding, less water, more weight, and a touch of salt. Stay tuned.