Lovely color  and unique fabric can be created with rust dyeing.     If you want control then this is not the process for you.   One never knows what one will get.

Materials:

Clean prewashed fabric.  ( this example is done on white- but color can be used if it is light)

Metal- tin objects like the ones pictured- but old drill bits, tools iron  shapes  etc..  ( I did the work in an old cookie sheet that was rusted and it added to the effect.

Vinegar / water solution of  50 /50.

Spray bottle, and gloves.

It is best to do this on a warm day- but one can put the work in a black plastic bag and get good results.  The heat seems to help.

You can simply lay your objects on the fabric and pour the vinegar and water solution on top or you can wrap and tie the fabric around the rust to get the transfer.   I like to lay things of top of  the bundle too.

Then you spritz the fabric with your solution and  put it in the bag if you wish or if it is warm one can just walk away for 24 hours.  I usually check and respitz  later in the day . This is how my fabric looked in the morning before I started rinsing.  The old tools and bike chain still on top.

Then rinse fabric in a water and salt solution.   This is a lite solution of salt.   Next rinse in water. The soapy water. Then in clear water again.   These are my buckets lined up.

Then hang your cleaned fabric to dry.

Have fun.

Susan had good regulates  placing a piece of glass or plexi glass  on the table.  Then placing thin cut shapes  between two sheets of  fabric  spritzing  then with vinegar and water.  Followed by a second  piece glass or plexi glass on top.   Again wait 24 hours .The top fabric was the most successful.     Look at the image at the top on the line.  You can see the butterfly clearly on the bottom row here.   It is as the bottom of the line piece too.