We were working away on our massive clean-up campaign when I became so grumpy that Saint Mike insisted I go dye something. I popped two of my mordanted napkins into some cochineal and marvelled at the intense color that instantly resulted. At first I thought my cheap Linen and Things cotton twill napkins were unsuspected dye magnets, then I remembered that I had measured out 3% cochineal, based on the weight of the cloth, when it should have been 1.5% at the most. Cochineal extract is a very strong dye. Look how deeply red the dye liquor is in the picture. I will have to dye all of my napkins in cochineal to use up this dye. Oh well, if I must I will. I might slip back over to L&T tomorrow and get more since they do seem to dye all right. They cost two dollars each, which is the cheapest I have found for finished napkins larger than 20X20 in.. I would rather have linen, but they cost way too much finished, and I don't want to spend time now mitreing and hemming lots of little squares. If anyone knows where to get natural fiber napkins pre-hemmed for less, will you let me know? Happy Summer Solstice to everyone.