Chestnut Dye Extract is a concentrated natural dye extract made from the wood of the Chestnut Tree (castanea sativa) that dissolves easily in water – there is no need to soak the dye extract, and there is no need to strain the dye solution before dyeing.  Chestnut Dye Extract will achieve shades of grey through to brown, depending on the method of mordanting and is a natural source of tannin. This extract is produced sustainably in Occitanie, France from the natural regrowth of Chestnut wood using an environmentally friendly production method.
Dyeing with Natural Dye Extracts
- A much lower percentage of Weight of Fibre (WOF) will achieve deep, rich colours compared to much larger amounts of traditional natural dyestuff. On average, 5g of natural dye extract can give a strong colour on 100g of fibre (5% WOF) and a lighter colour on 200g of fibre (2.5% WOF). Colour strength will vary with the particular extract, fibre, mordant and dyeing conditions.
- Make the powder into a paste with a small amount of warm water, then stir into a pan of water.
- Introduce your damp, pre-mordanted fibre and bring the dye solution to a simmer.
- Maintain the temperature for 45–60 minutes, stirring gently at intervals.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool overnight before squeezing out the dye solution and rinsing in cold water until clear.
Experiment with other mordants, such as an iron after-treatment, to achieve different shades. Colours from different dye extracts can be mixed together to achieve different colours. Keep records of your recipes and results to ensure you are able to repeat colours easily. To use for painting, screen printing and block printing, ensure fabrics are mordanted and the dye extract is thickened with the appropriate medium.
Important Natural Dyeing Tips
Most natural fibres can be dyed using natural dyes. Some natural dyes can be used without a mordant, while others benefit from mordanting to improve colourfastness and help achieve particular shades.
Wool and silk are commonly mordanted with alum, while cellulose fibres such as cotton and linen can be mordanted using aluminium lactate. Another method is to prepare cellulose fibres with a tannin solution followed by an alum mordant. This age-old technique can sometimes affect the final colour of the natural dye through the colour absorbed during the tannin soak – a side effect that may be desirable.
Another use of mordants is to modify the colour using an after-treatment of iron, copper or tin mordant; these will each shift the original natural dye colour. Whether you’re dyeing wool, silk, cotton or linen, natural dyes offer a wonderfully varied range of colours and effects, and many factors can affect the results.
You can find answers to the following questions in our Blog post A Practical Guide to Natural Dyeing – How to Get the Best from Natural Dyes:
- Why do I need a mordant and how do mordants work?
- What is the method for mordanting protein fibres?
- What is the method for mordanting cellulose fibres?
- How much natural dye should I use?
- What colours will I get from my natural dyes?
- How do I modify or shift colours from natural dyes?
This is a non-hazardous product. May cause irritation to the eyes or skin, by inhalation, or if ingested. Normal safety measures should be observed.
