crocking Archives - Botanical Colors

Video From Live FEEDBACK FRIDAY: The 1-2-3 Indigo Vat Using Iron

This week, we’ve got video from our live FEEDBACK FRIDAY exploring a version of the famous 1-2-3 indigo vat using iron. Watch the recording here: This time around we explored a version of the famous 1-2-3 indigo vat using iron (ferrous sulfate) as our reducing agent. This is a useful vat for achieving darker shades, but comes with a few caveats. We reviewed how to make the vat using the 1-2-3 method (the proportions are a little different than the fructose vat), and what to do when your vat turns purple (really). We also reviewed safety and best practices. Botanical Colors’ … Read more

Botanical Colors Natural Dye Glossary

There are so many terms and techniques in the natural dye space and unless you work in a natural dye house full-time or have been doing dyeing since time immemorial, you’re not apt to know everything. We created this glossary of terms so that you can look like a plant dye master and a natural dyeing pro. Well, at least you’ll sound like it. Check out the terms below and shoot us an email if you think we left something out and need to add it! Natural Dye Glossary Alkaline: An aqueous solution where the pH of the solution is … Read more

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: This Week in Natural Dye Questions

This week: How to deal with indigo crocking

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: This Week in Natural Dye Questions

This week: What’s the difference between our logwood extracts and how can you piece together an indigo vat in Peru without all the tools at your fingertips? (This answer is cool.)

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: 6 Tips for Natural Dyers Dealing with Crocking Fibers

This week: Stop that excess dye from sitting on the surface of your fibers and rubbing off

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: This Week in Natural Dye Questions

Each week, we are emailed with questions from our natural dye community asking simple and complex questions that we thought might be worth sharing. Here are a handful from this week answered by natural dyer in chief, Kathy Hattori, Founder of Botanical Colors. A note from Kathy: I hope you all had a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday with cherished friends and loved ones. I’ve just returned from a 3 week total immersion in India, attending Indigo Sutra in Kolkata and touring textile and weaving centers in West Bengal and central India. My head is still spinning from the beautiful textiles and … Read more

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: This Week in Natural Dye Questions

Each week, we are emailed with questions from our natural dye community asking simple and complex questions that we thought might be worth sharing. Here are a handful from this week answered by natural dyer in chief, Kathy Hattori, Founder of Botanical Colors: I am trying to dye large pieces of both linen and wool fabric (36″ x 56″) but I am having trouble with streaking. Do you have any tips on how to get a more even appearance? I believe part of my problem is keeping all the fabric submerged, it just keeps wanting to bubble up. I stir … Read more

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: This Week in Natural Dye Questions

Each week, we are emailed with questions from our natural dye community asking simple and complex questions that we thought might be worth sharing. Here are a handful from this week answered by natural dyer in chief, Kathy Hattori, Founder of Botanical Colors: What do you think the shelf life of dry extracts is? Dry extracts will last a long time. The things that cause problems with them are heat and moisture. Keep the extracts in a tightly sealed container away from heat and light and they should last you for a long time. If a stored jar of extract … Read more