Natural Dye Basics: Learn How to Mordant Plant Fibers

In this video I show the method I use to mordant cotton using Aluminum acetate. I also show how to scour plant fibers and how to do an optional tannin bath. The mordant process isn't my favorite - but it must be done when using natural dyes on cellulose fibers. And the work is worth it!
If you'd also like to learn how to mordant animal fibers like wool, please check out my previous video.
kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXzYg6GveZqkbM0
Come say hi and see what I'm dyeing/knitting:
myramadecolor
HookedDyed
Or check out what I'm writing here:
www.myramadecolor.com

[@nancyskinner5207]

Sometimes we just have to experience the old ways of doing things. ( crushing oak galls with a sledgehammer) Then we find once is enough. I love the way you do your math calculations.

[@MyraMadeColor]

Exactly. And thankfully I crushed enough galls that one time, to last me a long time!

[@kimcup5000]

P.S. Thanks for not rushing your videos! Everyone acts like they have to pack all kinds of info. into a 12 minutes attention span video!

[@MyraMadeColor]

Glad you like them!

[@kristlwebb4757]

Thank you for an informative and well organized video! I took notes throughout.

[@kristindyrfjord9218]

I love your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@user-dh7po2nd6j]

I love your video! So exaustive. Thank you. ❤

[@avoiceraisedtopraiseGOD-mn9iu]

wow! super helpful!

[@KnittingsAndSewings]

Wow, this is so informative. I have to admit, I also dread mordanting, but now see the importance of it, especially with dyeing cotton. Thanks for explaining it all. I didn't even know what chalk was used for, and never heard of the wheat bran stuff. I love everything about this video and will watch all of yours I can find.

[@MyraMadeColor]

You are so welcome!

[@kimcup5000]

The whole process is so beautiful to me. How I wish you had been around when I was young as I was so into the idea of natural dyeing but couldn't find good instructions! But I'm still going to try it as an older chick. 😉 Thanks for all your great videos!

[@MyraMadeColor]

You can do it!

[@kedricwilliams5287]

What an informative, and in depth video. Thank you so much.

[@MyraMadeColor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anuruddhadesilva3923]

Very well explained, about the best out there. Thank you so much.

[@MyraMadeColor]

I’m so glad you found it useful, and thanks for letting me know!

[@daisy3952]

So helpful!

[@carolbeebee8151]

Very helpful video!! Thank you so much! 😘

[@MyraMadeColor]

You are so welcome!

[@anitradoesthings]

Incredibly informant. I appreciate the teaching you include in your videos and I can’t wait to watch all of them! Love your video and am excited to jump into dying some clothing items. Thank you so much for providing this as a source for inspiration and learning

[@MyraMadeColor]

Thank you!

[@yanehttorrescanaberal1626]

Gracias muy buen video

[@nurdanaliyazicioglu6310]

Thank you for this

[@shaylasonline]

Thanks for the thorough tutorial! I am trying to screen print using the natural dyes (with gum thickener), so it will obviously need to be dry before I print. Hoping it all goes well!

[@MyraMadeColor]

Thank you and good luck!

[@danitapia3410]

omg I dint know you could use them to screen print!! do you. have more information?

[@helenbrown6612]

Wonderful video! As always ❤️ You can grind the oak galls in a pestle and mortar. Also you can powder them in a food blender (blender reserved for crafts, not food) Saves damaging your poor shoulder 😬 Lovely results from these processes 🙂

[@MyraMadeColor]

These are great ideas- thank you for sharing!

[@jdmosaics]

@@MyraMadeColor a coffee or Spice grinder works perfectly… many of the powders used for plant dyes are also medicinal.

[@MrsSandy01]

How much water is in the pot? What size is the pot? Either one would help us know how much water is being used. Thank you, great job.

[@MyraMadeColor]

I fill my pot 3/4 full. The goal is for the fiber to move freely in the solution to help the mordant bond evenly. There does not need to be an exact amount of water for that to work. 7 liter pot or larger will work good. The more fiber you are mordanting, I recommend the larger the pot. I hope that helps!

[@audiotinker]

Thank you! So how much alum for how much water? Or does the water amount not matter? Thank you 😊

[@EmalieTanos]

thank you. All is easy to understand when you explain. The only thing I´m not sure , the water in the end can I dumping in the garden or is dangerous for animals or plants?

[@MyraMadeColor]

I dump my water into the garden as the majority, perhaps all, the alum is absorbed into the fiber. But this is a personal preference- do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

[@EmalieTanos]

@@MyraMadeColor thank you

[@arpamor]

The tannin my friend is blowing in the wind :D

[@jacquelynsmith2351]

Thanks for this. My sister wants me to dye a cotton jacket of hers from a very, very pale green to a light/medium olive green. If it was wool, no problem. I have everything I need except the experience (I can dye one or two hanks of yarn at a time, but she could be a guinea pig for a full jacket). A cotton jacket? I told her maybe some other time...

[@MyraMadeColor]

Good luck!

[@lillyhoram6508]

Thanks Myra. Would you need to do this when dyeing plant fibres with indigo?

[@MyraMadeColor]

Indigo will bond to the fiber without a mordant. Yay! If you plan on over-dyeing using an additional natural dye, then you would want to mordant the fiber after the indigo dye.

[@slvrcross]

Myra have you ever experimented with mixing dye baths? curious if a deep red Cortinarius will make a beautiful purple if mixed w Indigofera

[@MyraMadeColor]

I have mixed baths but not those two - I'd be curious to see what happened!

[@patdavies2048]

Ok I get mixed up, step 1: scoured, step 2: tannin Step 3: mordant? Is that correct

[@ElisandeWalters]

(can I use chestnuts or ivy washing liquid? (probably a higher percentage needed, I suppose)

[@MyraMadeColor]

I don't know about chestnuts. Ivy washing liquid is worth a try. I've used all sorts of different soaps. :-)

[@patdavies2048]

You tannin it first then mordant it again?

[@sonalimukhopadhyay2077]

What should I use for the durability of the colour on the febric???

[@MyraMadeColor]

The tannins and mordant help the durability of the color by binding the dye to the fiber.

[@sarahpaty6108]

Can I use soda ash and alum instead of aluminum acetate?

[@MyraMadeColor]

Yes, but it uses a slightly different process

[@chaser595]

How do you figure how much water use whenever you do a tannin soak or aluminum acetate soak?

[@MyraMadeColor]

My goal with the water is for the fiber to move freely. With that in mind, I don't measure it. If I'm using a lot of fiber, I use the biggest pot I have. It doesn't sound scientific, but it works!