HOW TO MORDANT FABRIC WITH TANNIN AND ALUM | OAK GALLS POWDER | NATURAL DYE

[@oogwaychadman1920]

The production of this video is severely underrated. It reminds me very much of professional cooking show productions of Nigella Lawson and Marco Pierre White, the way the video was made with the intention to not only inform, but to also make the audience really feel as if they were being personally taught and learning through second-hand experience; I just could not compliment this enough!!!

[@billynou]

Thanks for the lovely comment ❤️ I will tell my partner his filming was appreciated ☺️

[@oogwaychadman1920]

@@billynou Very welcome! :)

[@toroseduto7365]

@@billynou he's a wonderful video-maker! i can tell he's an artist like you!

[@billynou]

Hey friends I hope you enjoy this video and find it helpful. Let us know what you think and as always keep sending your video suggestions this way !

[@rosepalazzolo4579]

Aw so happy to see the little ones face again! I really enjoy how informative your videos are about natural dyeing!

[@billynou]

Thank you 🥰

[@rachanadas1748]

I was really missing Billy..but then the sunshine appeared 😍♥️

[@billynou]

Haha ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Uinverso]

Glad I ran into this video. Love seeing peoples process, and also learned a lot. 🌞

[@billynou]

Great!! I’m glad too ❤️❤️

[@gabriellaniemen]

Could you do a video of oak gall’s the raw version, turned into powder and prep ready for dyeing.

[@silvertrees]

hello, I watched whilst spindle spinning wool that I had dyed with oak leaves and acorns - another source of tannin ( a pinkish beige on wool or modify with iron for greys). Though I know about mordants a dyer never stops learning so I enjoyed watching your video, thank you. I look forward to seeing your dye results and future videos.

[@billynou]

Thank you for commenting. I love that you were watching while spindle spinning and it’s true isn’t it? It feels like endless learning with natural dyes 🌱

[@monicakeehn3052]

How do you decide what you want to do in the oak gall bath and which you just want to do alum?

[@begumcehreli3249]

Thanks for the videos, I love to watch them.

[@billynou]

Thank you for watching and commenting 🥰🥰

[@Jay-dj7vh]

Aw Billy is the cutest. I enjoy her presence. 🌸 Also thank you for fulfilling my request. 🤗 Please tell me if you have tried to both natural dye and eco print the same fabric? I am curious if it works.

[@billynou]

There’s still so much more to cover on mordanting but it’s a start! I love doing these videos as often I learn something in the process too😃 I haven’t really done much dyeing and then eco printing but it will work... I see lots of beautiful dyers doing it on Instagram .... I will keep it in mind for a future video though 😉

[@shawngrieve2115]

When you have finished with mordant do you rinse again before hanging to dry? And what about after flower hammering? Do you rinse it out or just go with it?? Thank you so much

[@billynou]

I just rinse once after mordanting and I usually work while fabric is damp 🍃

[@kavitajilkar8784]

Hallo . Waiting for the dye results.☺️

[@gabrielfortes8380]

Love ur videos! Could u do one about the alum acetate someday?

[@billynou]

Yes!! I will ❤️❤️

[@kavitajilkar8784]

Hi..super tutorials wanted to know however much water to use for 36grams

[@caitlinhubel3612]

HI Billy Nou, Curious about the two different gall powders. Is one green and one brown? The young gall and the aged? How do their uses differ? Thanks! Your video is so beautiful.

[@billynou]

Hey... apparently green have more tannin content and are therefore a stronger mordant... I must admit I haven’t done a lot of experimenting with the different colours but seem to achieve good results with both from themazi 😊

[@fabali6380]

Hi can we mordant a mix linen and viscose blend fibre?

[@billynou]

Yes!! Just mordant as for any cellulose fibers 😊

[@simonhariman352]

What did you add to keep the fibers soft? Couldn‘t understand it, even after several repeats :) Thank you for all the fantastic content. Love watching your videos

[@billynou]

I think you mean cream of tartar ☺️

[@cosmaki_cosmos]

I am dyeing towels with a soya milk as a mordant, and they really become quite stiff and rough. I will try the cream of tartar. Thank you! @@billynou

[@bethrify]

I live in South Africa and don't have access to Oak gall ppwder. Can I use eucalyptus leaves?

[@bambaskaff1316]

I looked it up and the results said they are high enough in tannins to use in mordanting. But I dont know if its best to dry and powder them first

[@andrealouchene6916]

hello, I just love your videos - they are very calming and informative at the same time. I have haven't tried oak gall powder yet, but staghorn sumac leaves instead. My first attempts were too dark, as i used too many leaves. Does the oak gall powder not leave little granules on the fabric? I have heard that some dyers put it in a little nut milk bag, but am not sure if it works just as well. Haven't found the dyeing results of this lot, though ...

[@billynou]

Hey love… thank you ☺️ and yes I use a nut milk bag …. I tend to leave it to soak quite a while before putting the forget in 🤎

[@andreamauna7966]

Para traducir en español ? Por favor hermoso tu trabajo! Un abrazo desde Argentina!!!

[@billynou]

¡¡Hola!! oh, me encantaría tanto hacer algunas traducciones. ¡Tengo que enfocarme en francés primero asi vivir en Francia! gracias por mirar y espero que les haya resultado útil, incluso si no está en español 💗💗

[@serapgulseveryuce419]

Hii! I mixed and heated the fabrics in the oak gals bath. And i left it to brew. However, dark stains appeared on the fabric due to the oil film formed in the bath water. How can i prevent this unwanted situation? Thanks.

[@billynou]

Hello so I’m not quite sure what has happened as it hasn’t happened to me but it sounds like maybe your fibers weren’t properly submerged in the water? Maybe stirring a little more regularly could help 😊

[@elizerietberg8883]

did you scour your fabric before? an 'oil film' sounds like there was still a lot of grease in your fabrics

[@edvigev6160]

Loving these videos! Thanks for sharing!

[@billynou]

Thank you! You’re welcome 🦄

[@alinasagai2900]

Can we use Aluminium sulphate instead of potassium aluminium sulphate for mordanting cellulose fibers?

[@billynou]

Yes you can

[@Snowleaf______________________]

is there any way to avoid alum as a mordant, I can concerned about the toxicity (the possible impact on my poor respiratory system)?

[@billynou]

Yes.. there is ... and I have never done it but it involves using specific dyes with specific qualities like black walnut I think and tannin together.... I can’t remember more about this off the top of my head but if you search for natural acid dyes you should find some info

[@alinasagai2900]

Can I follow the same process for eco printing on cellulose fibres?

[@billynou]

Yes 😊

[@polianathes]

where did you buy the scale?

[@billynou]

On line somewhere 😅 my partner got it for me for my birthday a few years ago

[@lynxartemis4101]

so if i want to redye something for a deeper color do i need to remordant it? what if it hasn't been washed after the initial dye? any tips to set color? i'm mostly dyeing with onion skins currently. thank you!

[@billynou]

Yes I would re-mordant for a deeper colour ...and give it a wash before. The mordanting process should help with the colour and I always give things a hot steam iron before washing them 😊

[@jdmosaics]

I realise this is an old question on this post…. But …No you do not have to re mordant and the steaming or simmering will set the colour…. Ironing does not set the colour of plant dyes.

[@jdmosaics]

I know this is an old video but for new people watching there are a few anomalies… When plant dyeing Cellulose fibre it is best to always Tannin first then PAS ( potassium Alum Sulphate) after. What this process does is not about getting deeper colour, it is about mordanting to make a more permanent dye. Cheers

[@annarigillo6583]

Hi! Thank you so much for sharing this content, I’m in love with your videos ♥️ Just one question: how do you dispose of the alum bath after you’re done with mordanting? Do you know if it’s safe to just pour down the sink?

[@billynou]

Hi. So alum is is safe to pour down the drain or on some plants who like acidic soil apparently, although I have never done that! You can also consider using your mordant bath more than once, topping it up with alum to save water 😊🌱

[@annarigillo6583]

​@@billynou Thank you so much :D Looking forward to the video showing how to mordant with gallnuts, I just foraged some from the local park

[@mollycollins7625]

Can you natural dye clothing with no mordant? If so does the dye loose its colour or stain other materials when worn/washed? I would love to start natural dying!

[@billynou]

You can and some people do, especially if they just want the qualities of the plant and not just the colour, for example on baby clothes, but the colours won’t generally last as long and it really depends on what fibers you are dyeing etc there are so many factors involved in a long lasting colour. 🌱

[@billynou]

And you should just go for it !! Give it a go 🤍

[@mollycollins7625]

@@billynou Ahh thank you for your reply! I’m definitely going to give it a go! 🥰

[@jinaliharia]

Love love your videos! I am planning to dye a used white top with red madder. In the video you mentioned curing the fabric after tanning and also after mordanting process. Can we skip the curing stage?

[@billynou]

Hello 😊 yes you can but I always find that my results are just that bit better if I wait ☺️

[@kaliz748]

​ @BillyNou Can I use tannic acid in the same way? I have some of the one used for dyeing leather. It is darker than yours tho. Thank you! Love the naturality in your videos!

[@billynou]

Yes! Tannic acid is what is in the oak galls... you can get it from various sources so should be fine. If it’s dark it’s worth bearing in mind that it might have an effect on the final shade you achieve 😊

[@bethanyputtkemery3413]

hey there! If you don't scour with soda ash (just boiled for a few hours) than mordanted with tannin and alum will my colour stay in? is there a way to add the soda ash after mordanting or thee dye process? Thank you!

[@billynou]

You generally use the soda ash before dyeing or mordanting to clean the fabric thoroughly so both the mordant and the colours adhere evenly.... sometimes I don’t use it and just give the fibers a good wash. It depends what I’m dyeing. 😊

[@bethanyputtkemery3413]

@@billynou ty for the advice! :)

[@martatoscano6301]

Hi Kaylee, I'm in love with your videos, please keep the good work and congratulations ❤️ I wanted to know which is the best mordant in terms of durability of the color. Looking forward for the next videos!

[@billynou]

Hi. So this really depend on what fibers you are using, what dyes you are using etc etc Since making this video I am using oak galls a LOT more, I’m finding my results with them plus alum are really great ☺️

[@mrferalcodify]

Really love your videos, they are nice and slow so all the detail is there. I was wondering how important it is to use a stainless steel pot? I have a large pot that's non-stick, which I use for just dyeing purposes, but wondering if the material it's made from might change the results

[@billynou]

Hmm I’m not sure about non stick but stainless steel is considered non reactive which is why it’s good, copper, aluminium etc can have an effect on the results 😊

[@mrferalcodify]

@@billynou Thanks, I've just taken possession of my boyfriends giant stainless steel pot on your advice!

[@renatakuti234]

I have tannin powder I bought on Ebay, do you think those substitute the use of oak galls?

[@billynou]

Yes! It might be derived from something other than oak galls but it’s still tannin. Go for it!

[@helenmorley9896]

This is perfect! I just bought some oak gallnut powder 😊 I am very interested to see how the dye will turn out without the alum mordant.

[@billynou]

I am too!!

[@renataminoldo2196]

@@billynou hi! please let me know when you make the continuation of this video! many thanks xx

[@sophievautour8573]

Billy, I'm reading a saga where it mentions often : saffron shirts. Have you tried it?

[@billynou]

Ooo sounds interesting. No I havent... I imagine it’s quite expensive! 😆

[@belakumar2386]

Hi...needed an information....after using oak gall Tannin.....can I use iron blanket carrier....

[@billynou]

Yes you can... you’ll get a cool result... I haven’t worked that much with carrier blankets but it’s definitely worth playing around😊

[@belakumar2386]

@@billynou ❤

[@poojajayan4863]

Hi , what is chalk bath?

[@billynou]

It’s a solution of calcium carbonate 🤍

[@sakshibaheti1986]

Hey! I am from India and here soy milk or Oat milk is not available easily. Can you tell me an alternative to pretreat the fabric instead of soy milk.

[@billynou]

You could try any high protein milk and see what happens 😊

[@marissafaye6285]

Hello! Do you know if mordanting and the plant dyeing process is safe during pregnancy or with an infant around?

[@billynou]

I’m pregnant at the moment and doing it and I do it with my daughter but if I’m using metal salts I make sure to wear gloves and masks. I do like soy milk for the peace of mind though ☺️

[@marissafaye6285]

@@billynou thank you! and congrats!

[@fabali6380]

Did you use alum or alum. Acetate in this?

[@billynou]

Alum 😊

[@nimvaughen9895]

thank you!

[@billynou]

🥰