Natural Dyes
Resist Dyeing with Indigo for FEEDBACK FRIDAY
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 would like to be able to make variegated yarn from a finished skein (as opposed to spinning my yarn from various colored fibers, which is what I do now). I’ve done most of my dyeing on wool that I spin and then weave, but would like to dye cotton and hemp fabric. I am not able … Read more
Safe Dyeing with Mushrooms for FEEDBACK FRIDAY
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: When working with iron on a larger scale, what is the best and safest methodology? I’m working on a project that is not big enough to requesting a dye house, so working out of a very large container (the size of a bathtub) and although I wear gloves, goggles and a (very basic) breathing mask, sometimes I … Read more
Using Natural Dyes to Paint for FEEDBACK FRIDAY
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 curious if there is a way to thicken the liquid dye and use it for painting on fabric. Any info is much appreciated. There are a number of vegetable based thickeners or gums that are used in printing and painting. We offer an organic printing gum that is easy to use and offers excellent thickening … Read more
What is the Best Dyepot for FEEDBACK FRIDAY
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 are the best gloves for natural dyeing? I like to use the Ansell brand of gloves as they have a longer cuff version perfect for indigo vats and several insulated styles that are good for hot dye baths. I’m trying to carefully rotate my fibers so I don’t get hot spots. How do I keep from … Read more
Shelf Life of Natural Dyes for FEEDBACK FRIDAY
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
Solar Dyeing Cotton: Questions for FEEDBACK FRIDAY
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 type of tool or method do you suggest to use in order to prevent my fabric from touching the sediment at the bottom of my organic indigo vat if I’m doing a long dip (let’s say more than 5 min)? Placing a large strainer or colander at the bottom of the bucket is the best way? … Read more
Good Books for Beginner Dyers for FEEDBACK FRIDAY
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 fascinated with natural dyes and eager to start learning but the problem is that I don’t know where to even start. Do you have any advice on how to get started, is there a book you could recommend, or anything like that? I want to eventually do a studio day class with you, but would … Read more
Hand Painting with Natural Dyes Questions for FEEDBACK FRIDAY
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’m having trouble getting alum to dissolve. Even at 10% the solution was cloudy. This time I tried making a paste with boiling water but it still feels pretty crunchy. I’m amazed at how much pigment washes away. Using acid dyes I am used to seeing very little to no pigment in my wash water. I’m doing … Read more
Colorant’s Sonia Tay Gets Natural Dye Inspiration in Marrakesh
Sonia Tay, the designer behind Colorant traveled to Morocco last April which inspired her current collection dyed with natural dyes that Botanical Colors was proud to be part of. Each of her collections is manufactured and dyed here in the U.S. Tay is an American fashion designer, a native New Yorker who graduated from Parsons School of Design and studied at Parsons Paris in the interim where she furthered her studies of Art History and Costume Design. It was here she was able to focus on her love of fabrics and color history, traveling through Europe, stopping in fashion capitals … Read more