BEFORE BEGINNING

WATER — pH, hard or soft water

FIBRES — animal (protein) and cellulose (plant)

WOF — weight of fibre

SCOURING — process for protein and cellulose fibres

MORDANTS — alum and aluminum acetate

TANNINS — clear, yellow, red-brown

ADDITIVES — cream of tartar, ferrous sulphate

MORDANT PROCESS — protein fibres

MORDANT PROCESS — cellulose fibres

DYEING — our standard process

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Artisans have added colour to cloth for thousands of years. It is only recently (the first artificial dye was invented in 1857) that the textile industry has turned to synthetic dyes. Today, many craftspeople are rediscovering the joy of achieving colour through the use of renewable, non-toxic, natural sources.

 

Natural dyes are inviting and satisfying to use. Most are familiar substances that will spark creative ideas and widen your view of the world. Try experimenting. Colour can be coaxed from many different sources. Once the cloth or fibre is prepared for dyeing it will soak up the colour, yielding a range of results from deep jewel-like tones to dusky heathers and pastels. Variations are easily achieved by manipulating any of the elements of dyeing.

The instructions below will take you through the application of the "classic" dyes: those dyes that artisans and guilds have used for centuries. You will also learn everything you need to experiment with garden dyes or wild harvesting. If you can measure ingredients and boil water you can dye with natural colour.

Maiwa is constantly researching natural dye use and we are confident that a full palette can be achieved through the use of safe, time-honoured techniques and recipes.