Dyeing with Mushrooms

We used an alum & cream of tartar mordant for the mushrooms in this workshop.

The procedure for most of the mushrooms that we worked with was similar. Differences and quantities of mordant & mushroom are described in the recipes.

• The yarn was washed and cleaned prior to beginning the dyeing. The yarn was then premordanted in an alum solution.
  
• The mushrooms were cut into small pieces, soaked in water and then the dyebath was heated and simmered for a few hours to release the dye pigment.
  
• The dyebath was cooled for a short time, to prevent felting of the yarn.
  
• The mushrooms were strained from the dye liquid.
  
• The mushrooms could be used later for an afterbath or for papermaking.
  
• The premordanted yarn was placed into the dyebath solution and the dyepot was returned to the heat source and reheated to about 80-90 degrees Celsius and allowed to simmer for a few hours until the desired depth of colour was reached.
  
• The dyebath was allowed to cool before removing the yarn.
  
• The yarn was then washed with a gentle shampoo soap and water.

Cortinareous

Hapalopilus

Mushroom Dye Recipes

Natural Dye Workshop

Print Making

Papermaking

Peat Textiles