Natural Dyeing & Mordants · 4 articles
Natural Dyeing & Mordants
Indigo vats, cochineal extracts, madder baths — natural dyeing rewards the prepared studio. We map mordant choices to fiber and dye source so your color holds, and we walk through starter setups without assuming you already own a reference library.
Building a Natural Dye Studio: Mordants, Tannins, and the Extracts Worth Buying Before You Forage
Setting up a natural dye practice means more than gathering plants — mordants, tannins, and quality extracts determine whether your color lasts. Here's how to
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The Natural Dye Books That Actually Teach the Why, Not Just the Recipe
A guide to the natural dye reference books worth owning — ranked by how well they explain the chemistry and decision-making behind the color, not just the
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Reds from Nature: Cochineal vs. Madder vs. Red Sandalwood on Protein and Cellulose Fibers
Three of the most storied natural red dyes — cochineal, madder, and red sandalwood — behave very differently depending on your fiber and mordant. Here's how to
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Natural Indigo for Textile Makers: What Powder Form Can and Can't Do Compared to a Vat
Natural indigo is one of the oldest dyes on earth — but the powder you buy at a craft supplier and a living fermentation vat are not the same tool. Here's how
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