Greetings! I did not check the pH of the dyebath before/after adding Tums. I'm just starting to collect that kind of info more regularly. I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet, but over time I might start seeing some patterns and begin predicting results for different pH levels (and planning for desired outcomes). In the meantime, it's just a fun adventure! Let me know what color your harvested root produces.

Greetings! I made this video with your inquiry in mind: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a36qqH5neJWLitE (hopefully that link will work)!

You are so welcome! Thank you for visiting!

Hi Diane, I love meeting fellow "dyers"! So far I have only dyed plant-based fabrics. My research indicated that protein-based fibers require a metal mordant (some of which are toxic, hence my decision to go with plant-based fabrics to start). Technically, alum is a metal (aluminum) so the same principle may work. Another option for protein-based fibers is to add a pinch of ferrous sulfate to the dye bath (purchased, but not yet tried); or to create a solution of white vinegar and rusty nails, and add 1/2 teaspoon of the solution to the dye bath (read about, but not yet tried). I'd say "go for it" - part of the fun of dyeing is the experimenting! Please let me know what you find out. Warm regards, Margaret Q. :-)

Hi Sunny, It is confusing, and I'm still sorting out all those definitions! I think your understanding is pretty accurate. Here is how I think about it: * Mordants - enable dye to bond with fiber. * Tannins - enable mordants to work better with cellulose (plant-based) fibers. * Fixatives - enable better dye retention, since some dyes fade over time, or fade when exposed to light. Another term is "additives", for other substances added to the dye bath. There is also the concept of changing the pH or temperature of the dye bath to change the dye color. For example, you can add an antacid tablet to make the cochineal dye bath less acid and more purple, or heat the madder dye bath to 200 degrees F. for a brown-red shade. So this might fall into the "Fixatives" category, as you've suggested. Great questions - and forces me to think about my own confusion over these definitions! Thank you, Margaret Q.

Hi Sunny, I'm thrilled that you're delving into natural dyes! It's part art, part science, a little math, and lots of fun. I've been doing projects for the last two years, focusing only on plant-based fabrics, and still have much to learn! I've found the best resource for learning about mordants is Maiwa's Guide to Natural Dyes (see the sections on Mordants and the Mordant Process for protein and cellulose fibers): naturaldyes.ca/instructions. I started out using salt as a mordant, but found that oak gallnut and alum/soda ash just works better for plant-based fibers. Right now, I'm using that combination as a baseline for all my dye projects so I can compare and contrast in a "scientific" way, but will change it up as I learn more. Can't wait to hear about your projects - keep me posted! Margaret Q.