Natural dyeing is a process of coloring textiles using dyes derived from natural sources such as plants, minerals, and insects. These dyes are extracted from roots, leaves, flowers, bark, or other natural materials and are often combined with mordants to fix the color onto the fabric. Known for their eco-friendliness and rich, earthy tones, natural dyeing techniques create unique and sustainable designs, reflecting the beauty and versatility of nature.
These samples explore natural dyeing using turmeric and marigold, showcasing their vibrant hues. Techniques such as clamping and bandhani have been applied to introduce diverse patterns, textures, and variations, highlighting the versatility of natural dyes in creating intricate and dynamic designs.
Hilika (myrobalan) dye was prepared by boiling dried myrobalan fruits to extract tannins, creating a concentrated dye bath. Fabric was soaked in the dye to absorb the tannins, then dipped into a solution made from iron rust mixed with water and vinegar. The reaction between the tannins and iron produced a deep black color. After thorough rinsing, the fabric was dried, resulting in a rich, natural black tone.
Techniques like clamping and shibori were used to create patterns during the dyeing process. Clamping involves folding the fabric and securing it with wooden blocks or other resist materials to block the dye, forming geometric patterns. Shibori, a traditional Japanese resist-dyeing technique, uses folding, twisting, or binding the fabric to create intricate and organic patterns. Both methods add texture and variation, enhancing the visual depth of the dyed fabric.
Grapes were used to create a natural purple dye by crushing the fruit and boiling it to extract the pigments, primarily anthocyanin, which give the rich purple color. The fabric was soaked in the dye bath, allowing the natural color to penetrate the fibers. Alum was added as a mordant to help fix the dye and enhance its vibrancy. The fabric was then dyed with the grape solution, creating a deep, beautiful purple hue, which was further enhanced using the bandhani technique to form unique patterns.
ECO PRINTING
Eco-printing is a natural dyeing technique that involves transferring the color and patterns of plant materials onto fabric or paper through a process of heat and moisture. The materials, such as leaves, flowers, and other plant parts, are placed directly onto the fabric, which is then rolled, bundled, or folded. The fabric is steamed or simmered with the plant material, allowing the natural pigments and tannins to imprint onto the surface, creating intricate and organic patterns. The process is often done without synthetic dyes, making it an eco-friendly method of creating unique, nature-inspired designs.
Blanket dyeing
Blanket dyeing is a traditional dyeing technique used to color woolen blankets or other large fabric items. The process typically involves soaking the fabric in a dye bath, where the blanket is evenly immersed in a solution of natural or synthetic dyes and water. The fabric is then gently agitated to ensure uniform color distribution. In some cases, the blanket may be dyed in sections or patterns using resist methods, such as tying or folding, to create unique designs. Blanket dyeing is often used to achieve deep, rich colors and is commonly seen in textiles like woven wool blankets.
1. In this sample, a combination of hilika and rust-based black dye was used to color the fabric. Cotton fabric was dyed with this rich black tone, while leaves were employed as a resist to create intricate patterns. The natural shapes of the leaves blocked the dye, resulting in a unique print that captures both the depth of the black hue and the organic beauty of the resist design.
2. This sample uses marigold petals and sapan wood dye powder, which were rolled into the fabric and steamed, creating a subtle, organic pattern with rich, earthy tones on cotton fabric.
3. In this sample, leaves were dipped in a hilika and iron rust solution, allowing them to absorb the black dye and create a striking impression on the fabric. Sappan wood dye powder was then sprinkled on top, adding depth and a touch of color to the design on cotton fabric.
1. This sample features a deep red hue achieved using madder blanket dye, while iron leaves were used to create distinct impressions on the fabric. The combination of the rich red dye and the textured imprint of the leaves results in a unique, organic pattern on silk fabric.
2. In this sample, Hilika and iron rust blanket dye were used to create a strong black hue. The silk fabric absorbed the dye much more deeply than cotton, resulting in a rich, intense color. Normal leaves were used solely for creating subtle impressions on the fabric
3. In this sample, madder blanket dye was used for a rich red color, with iron water leaves creating impressions. Marigold petals were also added, enhancing the design with their vibrant hues. On cotton, the result was a faded, delicate effect compared to the deeper color achieved on silk.
