The secret to successful natural dyeing of cellulose fibres, yarns and fabrics such as cotton and linen is thorough scouring. The scouring process removes natural oils, waxes and pectins from the fibre so that the dyes can penetrate the fibre more readily. Scouring and mordanting cellulose fibres is a more time consuming process than when mordanting wool and protein fibres. But it is well worth taking the extra time to prepare your fabric before you put it into the dyepot.
Tag Archives: alum
Fungi Dye: Phaeolus schweinitzii
Phaeolus schweinitzii fungi produces Yellow, gold natural dyed yarns
Natural dyes: blnatdye
A selection of Natural Dyes and Mordants
How to Make an Alum Mordant: how_alum_mordant
A simple how to recipe for making an alum mordant, used for natural dyeing
Beginner Natural Dyeing: aa010498
Learning to use natural dyes
Natural Dyes: dyesnatural
Dye recipes, and projects for the natural and organic dyer