a portfolio of natural dyes
Pattern
A range of pattern designs for textiles created with natural dyes. For more details on the outcomes, processes and reflections see the blog.
Screen Print
The first experimentations of screen print were using traditional printing inks and printing onto fabric dyed with natural dyes. The fabric was dyed with cochineal and onion skins creating strong colours for backgrounds. After this, I wanted to experiment with creating screen printing that was 100% natural dyes and sustainable. With this I began learning and practising the process of screen printing with mordants and then dyeing with natural dyes. By creating a paste from a mordant like aluminium sulphate or iron and mixing this with guar gum (a cooking ingredient similar to flour), I was able to screen print my designs with mordant. After setting the prints using a ‘bran bath’ and then dyeing with natural dyes the dye clings to the screen printing mordant and washes out of the rest of the fabric leaving the design. See the blog for more details on this interesting process.
Bundle Dyeing
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Shibori & Tie Dye
Shibori is a traditional textile technique originating from Japan. It is very similar to tie dye and involves creating resits (something that stops colour reaching fabric) out of tying, twisting, folding, sewing, or scrunching. I have had experience with this from my time as a textiles teacher, and it’s a great way for beginners to start with creating patterns with natural dyes.
For these samples I have used logwood in pigment form, which is a strong dye. I scoured, cleaned and mordanted white cotton fabric and used string, bottle caps and sewing to make different patterns within the fabric. I think it’s an effective way to quickly make patterns, and I would like to further experiment with creating folding patterns and mixing with multiple dyes.
