"Natural dyes are dyes or colorants derived from plants, invertebrates, or minerals."
The study of dyeing textiles with natural materials such as plant matter and minerals.
Natural dyes: This is the core topic of natural dyeing. It involves a comprehensive study of the different plant sources used to create natural dyes, as well as the properties of each dye.
Mordants: Mordants are substances used to prepare fibers for natural dyeing. They help the dye to adhere and be more permanent. The study of mordants includes their different types, strengths, and applications.
Fiber selection: Different fibers react differently to natural dyes. This topic involves a discussion of the best fibers to use for natural dyeing and the reasons behind their selection.
Dyeing techniques: There are different techniques and methods involved in natural dyeing, such as dip-dyeing, bundle-dyeing, and shibori. A study of these techniques is necessary for mastering the art of natural dyeing.
Color theory: To achieve the desired color, a deep knowledge of color theory is essential. This includes the study of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and color mixing.
Dye extraction: This topic deals with the methods of extracting natural dyes from plant sources. It involves identifying the best extraction method for each plant source.
Sustainability: Natural dyeing is an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyeing. The study of sustainability in natural dyeing involves a comprehensive discussion of sustainable sourcing, production, and disposal.
History of natural dyes: Understanding the history and evolution of natural dyeing is essential in appreciating its value and importance. This topic involves studying the cultural, economic, and social significance of natural dyes in different civilizations.
Health and safety: Natural dyeing involves the use of chemicals that can be hazardous if not handled correctly. The study of health and safety in natural dyeing involves identifying the potential hazards and applying safe handling practices.
Experimentation: Experimentation is an essential part of natural dyeing. This involves trying out new plant sources, mordants, techniques, and fibers to discover new possibilities and create unique outcomes.
Plant-based dyeing: Using plant materials such as roots, leaves, fruits, and flowers for dyeing the cloth.
Mineral-based dyeing: Using minerals such as iron, copper, and tin for dyeing the cloth.
Insect-based dyeing: Using insect pigments such as carmine and cochineal for dyeing the cloth.
Animal-based dyeing: Using animal products such as egg yolks, dairy products, and blood for dyeing the cloth.
Fungi-based dyeing: Using fungi such as mushrooms and lichens for producing dyes.
Natural indigo dyeing: Using indigo plants to extract indigo pigment, which is used for dyeing the cloth.
Rust dyeing: Using rust as a mordant to fix the dye onto the cloth.
Solar dyeing: Dyeing cloth by exposing it to sunlight and using plant-based pigments that are extracted from plants.
Ice dyeing: A technique where ice is used to create unique patterns and textures on the cloth.
Eco-printing: Using natural materials such as leaves, flowers, and bark to print onto the cloth, creating a unique pattern.
Batik: A traditional dyeing technique where wax is used to create a resist pattern on the cloth, which is then dyed.
Shibori: A Japanese technique where the cloth is folded, tied, or twisted to create patterns, which are then dyed.
Hapa-zome: A method where plant materials are pounded onto the cloth to create prints and patterns.
Marbling: A process where a solution is used to float color pigments on the surface of water or other liquid, and then the cloth is dipped into the solution to create patterns.
Resist dyeing: A technique where wax, starch, or other materials are used to create a resist pattern on the cloth, which is then dyed.
Kalamkari: An Indian technique where a pen-like tool is used to paint the design on the cloth, which is then dyed.
Saffron dyeing: Using saffron to color the cloth, which gives it a yellow hue.
Cochineal dyeing: Using the cochineal insect found on cactus plants to produce a red dye.
Logwood dyeing: Using the heartwood of the logwood tree to create a purple dye.
Woad dyeing: Using the woad plant to create a blue dye.
"Archaeologists have found evidence of textile dyeing dating back to the Neolithic period."
"In China, dyeing with plants, barks, and insects has been traced back more than 5,000 years."
"Typically, the dye material is put in a pot of water and heated to extract the dye compounds into solution with the water."
"Textile fiber may be dyed before spinning or weaving ('dyed in the wool'), after spinning ('yarn-dyed') or after weaving ('piece-dyed')."
"Mordants (from Latin mordere 'to bite') are metal salts that can form a stable molecular coordination complex with both natural dyes and natural fibers."
"Historically, the most common mordants were alum (potassium aluminum sulfate—a metal salt of aluminum) and iron (ferrous sulfate)."
"They are seldom used now due to modern research evidence of their extreme toxicity either to human health, ecological health, or both."
"A number of non-metal salt substances can be used to assist with the molecular bonding of natural dyes to natural fibers, including tannin from oak galls and a range of other plants/plant parts, 'pseudo-tannins' such as plant-derived oxalic acid, and ammonia from stale urine."
"Scarce dyestuffs that produced brilliant and permanent colors such as the natural invertebrate dyes Tyrian purple and crimson kermes became highly prized luxury items in the ancient and medieval world."
"Plant-based dyes such as woad (Isatis tinctoria), indigo, saffron, and madder were important trade goods in the economies of Asia, Africa, and Europe."
"Dyes such as cochineal and logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum) were brought to Europe by the Spanish treasure fleets."
"The discovery of man-made synthetic dyes in the mid-19th century triggered a long decline in the large-scale market for natural dyes."
"Western consumers have become more concerned about the health and environmental impact of synthetic dyes... There is a growing demand for products that use natural dyes."
"The market for natural dyes in the fashion industry is experiencing a resurgence."
"The dye material is put in a pot of water and heated to extract the dye compounds into solution with the water."
"Mordants are metal salts that can form a stable molecular coordination complex with both natural dyes and natural fibers. They bind the dye to the textile fibers."
"Historically, the most common mordants were alum (potassium aluminum sulfate—a metal salt of aluminum) and iron (ferrous sulfate)."
"They are seldom used now due to modern research evidence of their extreme toxicity either to human health, ecological health or both."
"Western consumers have become more concerned about the health and environmental impact of synthetic dyes... There is a growing demand for products that use natural dyes."