Page 5 – Botanical Colors

Tannin + Alum Mordanted Sashiko Thread Bundle

Tannin + Alum Mordanted Sashiko Thread Bundle We are now offering our popular PFD sashiko threads mordanted in three different, beautiful tannin shades. Each bundle of 10 skeins is one tannin color that is also mordanted in aluminum potassium sulfate. This is an easy mordant option to create gradations and nuanced color in your stitching and dye work. The three mordant options are Gallo Tannin (Oak galls), known as a “clear” tannin with a creamy coloration that imparts virtually no shade differences from regular alum mordants. Sumac Tannin, imparts a subtle, soft yellow undertone to many colors, and shifts light … Read more

Salvation Through Soy

We are very happy that John Marshall decided to update his classic, Salvation Through Soy that covers all things soymilk! The updated version – and it is definitely updated – contains sound guidance, experiments, techniques, hints and tips in 68 pages of full color images and illustrations. John writes: Are you soy curious? Are you tired of well-intentioned online advice that doesn’t quite hit the mark? Is your fabric stiff? Smelly? In need of redemption? Well then, this book is for you! Within you’ll find just about any and everything you’ll ever need to know about using soymilk to improve … Read more

Kakishibu Liquid

Kakishibu Liquid is a full strength solution of the tannin-rich persimmon Diospyros kaki. It is an important color in the Japanese palette and is used as a protective wood stain, an antimicrobial, and provides a slightly crisp finish to fabrics. Japanese parasols are coated with kakishibu dye as a water repellent and katagami paper used for Japanese stencils are dark red brown from repeated soaks in kakishibu to create a strong paper for stencil making. Thanks to John Marshall, we even had kakishibu in a hard candy! The original light brown kakishibu color darkens with exposure to the sun, resulting … Read more

The Mushroom Color Atlas Book by Julie Beeler

The Mushroom Color Atlas Book by Julie Beeler Illustrated by Yuli Gates. Equal parts art book, field guide, and color distillation workshop, The Mushroom Color Atlas is a timeless reference that will be used in the studios of artists and designers for years to come. Consider it your invitation to share in the kaleidoscopic wonder of the fungi kingdom! People are learning all about the pivotal role fungi play in ecosystems and conservation efforts, plus spending time foraging has become a popular activity. The Mushroom Color Atlas features beautiful botanical illustrations and clear instructions on how to find and positively … Read more

Sumac Powder

Sumac Powder (Rhus coriaria) is a traditional tannin for pretreating cottons. The tannin is derived mainly from the bark of the tree, but all parts contain tannin and may be used. Sumac is from the Rhus genus and its scientific name is Rhus coriaria. It’s native to southern Europe and western Asia where it is commonly known as Tanner’s Sumac or Sicilian Sumac. We are fortunate to have number of North American native sumacs including Rhus glaubra, sometimes called Smooth Sumac, and Rhus typhina or Staghorn Sumac, known for its dramatic bright red berry clusters. The staghorn berries were used … Read more

Mordant Monday: Celebrating Earth Day & Vibrant Valley Blue

Vibrant Valley Blue Indigo Paste We are thrilled to introduce a new, Pacific Northwest-based indigo paste from the incredible growers and dyers at Vibrant Valley Farm. Kara Gilbert and her skilled team created Vibrant Valley Blue, a Persicaria tinctoria indigo extract. This product is based on years of growing, harvesting and experimenting with varieties, cultivation and extraction and they’ve scaled their production from a few hundred starts to a robust crop of over 10,000 plants. The resulting indigo paste is easy to use and creates a beautiful clear blue. Kara used this indigo to dye a number of garments and … Read more

On Sale! Vibrant Valley Blue Indigo Paste

On Sale! Vibrant Valley Blue Indigo Paste We are thrilled to introduce a new, Pacific Northwest-based indigo paste from the incredible growers and dyers at Vibrant Valley Farm. Kara Gilbert and her skilled team created Vibrant Valley Blue, a Persicaria tinctoria indigo extract. This product is based on years of growing, harvesting and experimenting with varieties, cultivation and extraction and they’ve scaled their production from a few hundred starts to a robust crop of over 10,000 plants. The resulting indigo paste is easy to use and creates a beautiful clear blue. Kara used this indigo to dye a number of … Read more

You Ask, Kathy Answered: Do I mordant before or after shibori stitching?

The Indigo Henna Vat with Shibori Techniques Taught by Kathy Hattori Indigo is the fabled blue of legend, history and culture and has fascinated artists and scholars for centuries. Indigo is the most popular dye that we carry and there are different ways to make an indigo vat for dipping. One of our favorites is the 1-2-3 Henna vat, where henna, this unique natural dye and body tattoo (mehndi) paint plays an integral part of an indigo vat, yielding beautiful results. Join me as I instruct you how to create the henna vat in a 5-gallon bucket, and we’ll spend … Read more

Sashiko Thread Bundle PFD

Sashiko Thread Bundle PFD These skeins are perfect for creating your own sashiko thread palette from natural dyes. You will receive one loosely twisted skein that contains 10 smaller skeins. Each small skein has one cross tie. If you are obsessive like me, you’ll want to add a second cross tie. The skeins are prepared and ready for dye but need to be mordanted first, unless you are planning to dip into indigo, and then they don’t need to be mordanted. Each skein can then be mordanted and dyed, or create your own indigo gradation, or more! What I love … Read more

Tangara (Mangrove Bark) Japanese Dye

Tangara (Mangrove Bark) Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Tangara creates a beautiful warm medium brown and is sometimes referred to as “cutch”, although cutch comes from the acacia tree. This particular dye is from the large-leafed orange mangrove. The color is used in leather tanning and is high in tannins. Tangara is found in intertidal zones throughout SE Asia and other coastal areas and is considered a valuable medicinal plant. Mangrove is already an extract and may be used until no color is left in the dye bath to create gradations of the color. Sold in 50 gram reuseable plastic jars.