Page 15 – Botanical Colors

MORDANT MONDAY: Aluminum Sulfate For Cellulose?

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 realized I purchased aluminum sulfate instead of potassium aluminum sulfate. I am mostly looking to dye cellulose fabric yardage. Will aluminum sulfate work as a mordant for cellulose fibers? KATHY ANSWERED: Yes, it will work: aluminum sulfate and aluminum potassium sulfate are largely interchangeable. It used to be that aluminum sulfate could contain traces of iron, which would shift colors, but most modern day aluminum sulfate is pretty “clean” – at least I haven’t had an … Read more

Sunday Visit: Oregon Flower Farming With Vibrant Valley Farm

Today’s Sunday Visit is with our dear friend Kara Marie Gilbert over at Vibrant Valley Farm. Vibrant Valley Farm is a group of dedicated farmers committed to exploring innovative solutions to enliven the current food, floral and fiber systems. Vibrant Valley Farm is also the muscle behind the marigolds we sell on Botanical Colors! Located on Sauvie Island, just outside of Portland, Oregon, Vibrant Valley Farm has been committed to exploring innovative solutions to enliven the current food system, both locally and globally. As part of that local and sustainably grown angle, they never use pesticides or herbicides. Kara says, … Read more

Video From FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Babs Behan

This week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY we had natural dyer and specialist of non-toxic natural dyeing techniques and bio-regional, regenerative textile systems, Babs Behan. Babs is the author of one of the newest books in our book store, Botanical Dyes: Plant To Print Dyes, Techniques & Projects. She is also Founder of Botanical Inks , a non-toxic natural dye studio and the Bristol Cloth Project. Watch the recording below. Shop Babs’ book here. Website Instagram Babs tells us she is committed to the transformation of our textile industry and the possibility of global environmental and cultural regeneration. Inspired by her own … Read more

You Asked, Kathy Answered: What’s The Indigo Setup?

We get lots of emails from customers about challenges with dyeing and needing Botanical Colors’ President Kathy Hattori’s help. Why not share the learning so we can all benefit? From our inboxes to you, it’s simple: You Asked, Kathy Answered. Email questions@botanicalcolors with your plea for help! YOU ASKED: I’m trying to set up my indigo vat finally (I purchased materials from your store months back). My only confusion is whether or not I need to purchase a stainless pot to do the initial 180-190 degree temperature rise? I don’t have one, and have a 5 gallon bucket I was … Read more

MORDANT MONDAY: Mordanted Pieces Resist Wetting Out

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 love the fact that aluminum triformate works with cold water. When I let mordanted pieces dry until I’m ready to use them, I have a hard time wetting them out before submerging them in a natural dye bath. Do you have an explanation or any tips? KATHY ANSWERED: I’ve noticed that alum mordanted fibers and fabrics can sometimes resist rewetting, especially in cold water. I’ve had skeins that I put in a water bath to rehydrate … Read more

Sunday Visit: Babs Behan & Connecting Deeper With Dye Plants

Today’s Sunday Visit is with natural dyer and specialist of non-toxic natural dyeing techniques and bio-regional, regenerative textile systems, Babs Behan. Babs is the author of one of the newest books in our book store, Botanical Dyes: Plant To Print Dyes, Techniques & Projects. She is also the author of Botanical Inks Plant-To-Print Dyes, Techniques and Projects Founder of Botanical Inks non-toxic natural dye studio and the Bristol Cloth Project. Babs tells us she is committed to the transformation of our textile industry and the possibility of global environmental and cultural regeneration, inspired by her own connection with nature. “I … Read more

You Asked, Kathy Answered: Making Oak Tannin Powder

We get lots of emails from customers about challenges with dyeing and needing Botanical Colors’ President Kathy Hattori’s help. Why not share the learning so we can all benefit? From our inboxes to you, it’s simple: You Asked, Kathy Answered. Email questions@botanicalcolors with your plea for help! YOU ASKED: I would like to use oak galls for a tannin bath, and we live in an oak forest so I have a large bag full! Can you explain how to go about making my own powdered oak tannin powder. I am hoping it could be as simple as just putting the … Read more

Sunday Visit: Evolving Fibershed With Rebecca Burgess

Today’s Sunday Visit is with one of our fiber and dye heroes, Rebecca Burgess. Rebecca is the executive director of Fibershed and the author of Harvesting Color as well as Fibershed-Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists, and Makers for a New Textile Economy. She’s also a seasoned weaver and natural dyer. About a decade ago, Rebecca had the idea to develop a project focused on wearing clothing made from fiber grown, woven, and sewn within her bioregion of North Central California. From the Fibershed book: “As she began to network with ranchers, farmers, and artisans, she discovered that even … Read more

Video From FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Cassie Dickson

Yesterday, we welcomed coverlet weaver, flax and silkworm farmer Cassie Dickson to FEEDBACK FRIDAY. Cassie says: “A Southern Highland Craft Guild Heritage member, specializing in spinning, traditional weaving, and natural dyeing, I have called western North Carolina my home for over 30 years. As a traditional pattern weaver, I have woven coverlets and linens for over 40 years. I grow flax and use 18th and 19th century tools and process the fiber to weave linen cloth. For the past 33 years, I have also raised silk worms, processing the cocoons to silk fabric and sharing that interesting historical story. Over the years, I have taught … Read more

You Asked, Kathy Answered: Indigo Heaters + Baskets

We get lots of emails from customers about challenges with dyeing and needing Botanical Colors’ President Kathy Hattori’s help. Why not share the learning so we can all benefit? From our inboxes to you, it’s simple: You Asked, Kathy Answered. Email questions@botanicalcolors with your plea for help! YOU ASKED: I am doing some indigo dyeing and a friend mentioned using an indigo bucket heater to keep the temperature of the water at the correct temperature. She mentioned you sold them, but can’t find them on your website. Do you stock them? If so, where can I see them? If not, … Read more