We get mordant questions all the time at Botanical Colors so why not create Mordant Monday??? Got mordanting questions? Email [email protected]
YOU ASKED: I’ve been weighing fabric before and after mordanting lately and noticed that the WOF changes slightly. For the recipes on the site, which weight is relevant for WOF? Post-scour, pre-mordant OR post-scour, post-mordant?
KATHY ANSWERED: Our practice is to weigh the fabric prior to scouring and mordanting, so before we start any process on the fabrics. It is the first thing that we do so we can calculate the rest of our formulas during the dye process.
YOU ASKED: I basically work 9-5 and barely have time to do all the natural dyeing I want to. I was wondering if mordanting could be done in bulk and stored for dyeing? That way I can dye when I actually have a life on weekends!
KATHY ANSWERED: Mordanting provides the dyer flexibility as fibers can be mordanted in advance, dried, and dyed later, or mordanted and dyed in one day. Drying and storing, or “curing” alum-mordanted fibers often results in deeper shades on wool and silk. If you are new to natural dyeing, we recommend starting with wool fiber as it is the easiest to dye.
Shop all our mordants and assists here!