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Cream of Tartar

Cream of Tartar (COT) is a white powder often used in baking to help stabilize meringue. It is a byproduct from the sediment left behind in winemaking – another use for a waste product! In natural dyeing, we use cream of tartar to acidify the dye bath to act as a color changer. It’s also used in mordanting to soften wool fibers. As well, I’ve read that it helps aluminum sulfate bind more strongly to the fibers. Depending on the dye, it will shift cochineal, madder and lac to brighter, redder colors. With madder, it will shift the hue to … Read more

Liquid Logwood Extract

We are pleased to offer a new, easy-to-use liquid logwood extract formulation. Logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum) originates from the Yucatan region of Mexico. It is naturalized throughout Central America and parts of the Caribbean. It was also known as Palo de Campeche or Campeche wood. Like cochineal, logwood extract was one of the valuable dyes from the New World. As a result, Spain and England went to war over regions that were lush with logwood trees in an effort to control the lucrative logwood dye trade. Logwood yields a rich, deep purple and was used as a base or “bottom” for … Read more

Lac Extract

Lac (Laccifer lacca) extract comes from a scale insect known from antiquity throughout India, Southeast Asia, Nepal and China. The deep red colorant is extracted from a hard resinous crude shellac before it can be successfully used as a dye. So the resin is known as shellac. It is used for lacquer and in addition as a protective covering for wood. Lac dye was used to color silk and dye leather and was mentioned as early as 250 AD. Lac extract is an affordable alternative to obtain pinks, purples and burgundy reds on protein fibers using an alum mordant. However, … Read more

Wattle Extract

Wattle is a member of the Acacia family. People use it extensively in leather tanning as it works very well for even coverage and penetration of skins and pelts for tanning. Australia, South Africa and India grow most wattle. They most commonly extract the Black Wattle to create the dye. Natural dyers use wattle extract as one of the rich tannins to create iron-based grays and blacks or to overdye with indigo to create interesting muted greens. The color is a beige with a pink cast. Additionally, it has a characteristic toasty wood smell. For more information on how to … Read more

Rich Purple Logwood

We are carrying a specialty-grade Rich Purple Logwood that yields a brighter, deeper, and richer purple shade, especially on wool and silk fibers. Logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum) originates from the Yucatan region of Mexico. It is naturalized throughout Central America and parts of the Caribbean. It was also known as Palo de Campeche or Campeche wood. Like cochineal, logwood extract was one of the valuable dyes from the New World. As a result, Spain and England went to war over regions that were lush with logwood trees in an effort to control the lucrative logwood dye trade. Logwood yields a rich, … Read more

Logwood Chips

Our logwood is in sawdust/wood chip form. Use repeatedly until there is no more color. 100g of logwood chips will dye approximately 600g (24 ounces) of fiber a deep purple shade. There will be enough dye leftover for exhaust baths. For more detailed instructions, please visit our page on logwood chips here. Logwood chips yield a rich, deep purple and we source ours from sustainably managed farms. Logwood by itself is not particularly lightfast, so keep from bright sunlight. Its lightfastness increases and the color darkens to a near black with added iron. If your water is neutral or acidic, … Read more

SOLD OUT Oaxaca Tour: A Journey into the World of Zapotec Traditions

Join Botanical Colors on a tour of Oaxaca and A Journey into the World of Zapotec Traditions! Join Botanical Colors for an indigenous-focused tour of Oaxaca, Mexico through Ancestros, Porfirio Gutiérrez’s Indigenous-owned and managed travel company. Oaxaca is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse areas of the country, with deep ties to ancient cultures and a rich practice of textiles, color and traditions. Our trip highlights include time studio time dyeing with cochineal as well as textile-focused visits with village artisans, time to learn, practice and make textiles, and visits to important, historic spiritual sites, all guided by … Read more

Experience the Colors of Tangier

Experience The Colors of Tangier at The Mothership. August 2024 DATES: August 1 – August 11th, 2024, 11 days, 10 nights PRICING: $4495 includes all activities as detailed below, airfare and lodging are additional The Workshop Overview In this workshop you will be immersed in Moroccan culture, textiles, dye plants and in free creative play. You will be guided in a methodical approach to color building, using the natural dyes growing at the Mothership in Tangier, by Cara Piazza, a New York City based natural dyer and artist. In addition, you will have guided studio time for interdependent creative … Read more

SOLD OUT Experience The Colors of Tangier at the Mothership With Yto Barrada & Cara Piazza

Aquarelle Pomegranate Liquid

Liquid Pomegranate is an easy to use liquid natural dye. It creates a bronze yellow or a beautiful olive green shade with iron. For detailed instructions, please visit our page on how to use liquid dyes. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is known as anaar in India and granado in Spain. It grows wild in India, Italy, North Africa and China. People use pomegranate in India as both a tannin-rich mordant and as a dye. Each Aquarelle liquid natural dye is pre-extracted from a leaf, root, bark or other natural source. They combine easily. In addition, they produce beautiful shades. Thicken with … Read more