This week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY we had Botanical Colors President Kathy Hattori show us how to make green with natural dyes. Using powdered fustic, weld, and as Kathy calls it, “a new crazy chlorophyll mixture,” she showed the versatility of our dyes to achieve colors maybe you’ve only dreamed of.
Watch the video here:
Recipes and suggestions
-Dye mordanted wool and silk fibers in 10% fustic, then transfer to another dye bath with 10% Saxon Blue to get a vivid lime green
-Dye mordanted cotton or linen fibers in 10% fustic, then transfer to another dye bath with 0.5% iron powder for an olive/khaki shade
–Himalayan Rhubarb extract makes a wonderful bright olive green when combined with Saxon Blue in the dye pot. Use it at 1-10% on the weight of the fiber and shift its pH with cream of tartar or soda ash.
–Pomegranate is an aromatic dye that yields a matte green-yellow color. It yields rich blue greens when overdyed with indigo or dark olive greens when combined with Logwood or iron.
-Shop our new Chlorophyllin Green Dye here!
Making Green with Weld and Logwood
-Chartreuse: Use 3% weld on the weight of fabric and dissolve in hot water. Do not add any auxiliaries such as calcium and soda ash. Then measure and add 0.25% logwood extract and stir well. Add to a dye pot filled with enough water and carefully add a skein of wool yarn. Heat gently to 140F and hold for 45 minutes. Let cool and rinse with cool water, then air dry.
-Leaf Green: Use 3% weld on the weight of fabric and dissolve in hot water. Do not add any auxiliaries such as calcium and soda ash. Then measure and add 1.0% logwood extract and stir well. Add to a dye pot filled with enough water and carefully add a skein of wool yarn. Heat gently to 140F and hold for 45 minutes. Let cool and rinse with cool water, then air dry.
Note: It is possible that your dye bath will appear quite purple. Do not freak out – give it some time and you should be able to see the green color appear. Have fun with this!
FEEDBACK FRIDAY
If you are not familiar with FEEDBACK FRIDAY, every week, we speak with dyers, artists, scientists and scholars about our favorite topic, natural dyeing and color. Curated by Amy DuFault, Botanical Colors’ Sustainability Director and presented by Botanical Colors’ Founder Kathy Hattori.
We even have our own theme song thanks to musician Jimmie Snider (click here to hear more of his music)!