Shibori, the ancient Japanese technique of fabric folding and dyeing has been brought right up to date. Traditionally indigo was used to create patterning. However, using modern dyes, discharge agents and fabrics you can easily develop complex patterns. Tying and clamping, dyeing and discharging, re-dyeing and heat setting the fabric creates a new and visually […]
Tag Archives: Natural Dyes
There are a number of ways to create rust patterns on cotton and silk fabric and here is a simple controlled method. Natural fibres take the rust colours better than synthetic fibres and fabrics should be free from oils or starches. Prepare your fabric by rinsing in a solution of synthrapol and water (half a […]
Natural dyes tend to fall into one of three types, mineral, substantive or adjective. The type of natural dye will determine if a mordant needs to be used. Adjective Dyes There are many adjective natural dyes which only give a worthwhile colour and a good level of wash and light fastness if the fibres are […]
These notes appear originally on the Yahoo Group ‘Natural Dyes’ and have been reproduced with the kind permission of the author, Dick Huset. “Three years ago after a trip up to the arctic where the big lichen ‘ears’ have been an emergency food source for eons, I experimented back at home to add new color […]
These alternative indigo dye recipes are reproduced with the kind permission of Alison Daykin at Alison Yule Textiles. Find out more about indigo and how to set up a traditional indigo dye vat. Indigo Dye Vat using Yeast and Sugar Although indigo powder is blue, the indigo molecule does not produce its blue colour until […]
Here we include an Indigo Dye Recipe and a little about the history of this ancient dye. Indigo is probably the most widely used dyestuff of all time – indeed denim jean material is still coloured using indigo dye as it is extremely wash fast. It was used many centuries before the Christian era in the […]
FIBRECRAFTS natural dyes can be used in all natural dyeing techniques and colours with vary depending on the mordant or method used. We suggest you experiment with the dyes and keep notes on how you arrived at the finished result. Alderbuckthorn Bark The Alderbuckthorn is a small tree or bush native to Britain. Shades […]
A mordant is required if the colour from natural dyes is to remain wash fast and permanently bonded to the fibre. Materials can be pre-soaked in a mordant and left damp prior to dyeing. The mordants can also be added to the dye bath while the dye is being simmered. Mordanting materials before and after […]
If you’ve never used dyes before, you may be concerned about their safety, especially when using them for large projects or in the classroom. The two most popular synthetic dyes include Acid dyes and Procion MX dyes. When correctly used, create a permanent bond with the fabric with excellent wash fastness. Acid dyes have been […]
There are many factors to consider when dyeing fibres with naturally occuring dyes from plants and other materials. Most dyes require the fibre to be first treated with a mordant solution. A mordant is a substance which binds the dye to the fibre. The most valuable and commonly used mordant is Alum. Other mordants, such […]