How DID I do this? It turned out this way, willy nilly.

[SUP]

Whenever I make anything with veg-tanned leather, I practice cutting leather, stitching, dying, etc. in different ways.  I experiment, so each item looks weird but does its job and I learn something in the process. 

I made this sheath for a round knife and experimented with dying. Stamped a few random designs, light brown dye, tan-kote, antique gel, resist again. Same thing on both sides. Experimented with manner of application, ergo the blotchy appearance. Please ignore the crooked stamping and the blotchiness.

On one side, in one section, the stamps are light. The rest of the stamping got dyed with the antique gel.

I liked the effect of the depressed part of the  stamps being light and the raised part staining with the dye and antique gel. That part has taken both dyes because without the light brown dye, the antique gel gives a dull brown color, not this reddish brown one.

I tried to replicate that look but cannot. I applied the resist lightly  on one piece, heavily on another. I tried wiping away some resist on the stamped area. Nothing gave this clean finish. It just looked a mess.

Anyone who has made this effect, could you please guide me on this? 

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by SUP
Corrected information

[Handstitched]

21 minutes ago, SUP said:

Anyone who has made this effect, could you please guide me on this? 

I have done this myself,by mistake,  I was just experimenting, doodling , as we  all do, and thats what happened. 

I later  dyed some key rings using two colours after stamping . The first being red, let dry,  and  then using a  flat  cotton cloth,  , not a swab,  with black dye. I carefully applied the  black dye  over the top without dying the  the stamping.I had to be careful not to dye the stamped bits, but  it came out quite effective , wish I'd taken pics now. So, I did  the same on some other  items, a light colour underneath, and a darker colour on top.  I let dry completely , and then gently  and carefully applied a sealer as not to smudge the red dye. I didn't know what to call it, so I made up my own name , ' over dyed' / over dying, one colour on top of another .  

You've done just that,  put one ( dark) colour over another light colour. Looks great  

Experimenting/ doodling  can yield interesting results.One knife case I made, the ( mahogany) dye came out all streaky, like wood grain ...almost. I thought " OOPS!!" But I left it like it.  Sold it the next day . So I made few more like it, sold them too .  Go figure. 

Just when you think you've made a mistake.....

HS

[SUP]

Exactly! And after a dozen ugly finishes, this looked nice. Although that is the only part which looks good! LOL.

I think I accidentally did exactly what you describe. I used a paper towel for applying the antique dye  - I just blotted it around - therefore the blotchy appearance - and did not want it very dark, so diluted it and rubbed that very lightly all over. 

I will try that method again. Apply the first dye, allow to dry completely and then lightly apply the 2nd dye with a cotton cloth just skimming over the surface so the stamped parts do not take the dye. Maybe the 2nd dye should not be diluted -  a thicker dye will not easily seep into the depressed parts of the stamp - will experiment with concentrations of the dye as well. Also, the paper towel is slightly stiffer than cotton cloth and that might make a difference too. 

Thank you.

[SUP]

Just found another thread about this: I believe it is called 'block dyeing' or 'reverse dyeing'.  This is the thread, for anyone else looking for it.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by SUP
Spellings!