Natural Dye Supplies

[Loyalist Dave]

Hello forum readers,

Here is a source for some natural dyes and mordants, plus they have directions and recipes for producing many of the dyes. So for those who want to take their clothing a little farther than buying pre-dyed cloth "over the counter"... Maiwa may have just what you're looking to use.

If you're going to use a local, wild source, the directions they offer should still be of help to you.

I'm thinking of trying some Woad for a blue, and maybe some Madder for a proper, private's, red wool... perhaps mixed with some Brazil wood...

LD

 

[Artificer]

Great source link! Thank you.

I realize with the India trade going on since the 17th century, that dyestuffs from there may have been imported here in the 18th century. I found the following very interesting.

"Madder is a complex dyestuff containing over 20 individual chemical substances."

I did not know that even though my Regimental is a true Madder Red colour.

Gus

 

[Birdwatcher]

Thank you for the link, I've had some natural color white cotton drop front pants for a while but been wanting to dye them w/walnut before I wore 'em. Sad experience has shown that, even if washed beforehand, remnants of sweat and dirt will act as a mordant, causing darker areas around the seat and crotch.

I dyed the bejeezus out of them with powdered walnut dye using copperas (Iron II Sulfate) in iron pills as a mordant but all I got was a pale grey.

I'm thinking our basic (pH of 8) and hard water might be to blame. I still have not worn the pants. Im going to try again with black walnut powder and alum, but this time try distilled water.

Birdwatcher

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You might want to wash them several times to see if you can't get the old color out first.

Sometimes with alum, you will want to wash the fabric in the alum, no rinse, then allow it to dry, and then apply it to a dye bath.

LD