Natural Dye

Lac Extract  –  a red dye extract from the scale insect Laccifer lacca and can found throughout India, south east Asia, Nepal and south China. It is harvested from both wild and cultivated means. The female lac insects invade host trees and secretes a resin that contains the red dye. The resin is harvested and taken off the branches and is known as stick lac. The resin contains both shellac and dye. The dye is extracted from the resin and the remaining shellac is further refined into other products. The colors are similar to cochineal but softer and warmer in appearance.

• Dye Amount: 5-8% WOF
• Color: crimsons, burgundy reds and deep purples
• Light fastness: High
• Wash fastness: High

• Mordant
• Alum mordant at 15% WOF for protein fibers
• Alum mordant at 8% WOF for cellulose fibers
• Tannin mordant at 8% WOF and then alum at 15% WOF, or alum acetate at 8% WOF

• Dyeing: Dissolve extract in water and simmer with fiber for 45-60  minutes. For the richest colors, leave the dye pot to soak over night. Lac dye is very sensitive to change in pH and develops to its fullest color potential with the addition of cream of tartar at 6% WOF. For plum purples, add an alkali such as cream of tarter. For blackened purples, add ferrous sulfate.

Consists of the wood from the osage-orange tree(Maclura pomifera). Osage contains a yellow dye similar to fustic and black oak and yields clear, true yellows to soft yellow greens. Osage grows throughout the south and central United States. 

• Dye Amount: 2-5% WOF Extract, 20-30% WOF chips or saw dust
• Color: True to soft yellows
• Light fastness: Excellent
• Wash fastness: Excellent

• Mordant
• Alum mordant at 15% WOF for protein fibers
• Tannin mordant at 8% WOF for cellulose fibers and then alum at 15% WOF, or alum acetate at 8% WOF

• Dyeing:
• Chips or saw dust: Cover the chips or saw dust with boiling water and let soak overnight. Remove the chips/dust, add addition water to cover fiber and simmer at around 170 degrees but not more than 180 degrees for an hour. For Rich colors, leave the fibers to soak overnight.
• Extract: Mix the extract in a small container of hot but not boiling water. Once thoroughly mixed, add to the dye bath and simmer for 45 minutes. For rich colors, allow the dye bath to cool overnight.
• Color Variations
• Brightened Yellows: add copper to the dye bath or dye in a copper pot
• Olive Green: Add 2-4% ferrous sulfate
• Emerald Green or Leaf green: Over dye or under Dye in indigo

Spirulina - Super food, soap dye and natural fabric dye.

Spirulina is a non-toxic blue-green algae. It is the richest source of protein, vitamins, minerals, beta carotene, antioxidants & other nutrients missing in your diet

This spirulina is a blue-green algae that is grown in open-channel, shallow, man-made raceway ponds. Paddle wheels move the water to accelerate growth while growers continually add clean, fresh water and nutrients to the ponds to keep the spirulina thriving. When ready, the spirulina is harvested with filters, washed in fresh water, and then dried by spray drying machines. This spirulina is non-irradiated and non-GMO.

Spirulina is a wonderful natural soap colorant that will give your product a light to dark bluish green hue. Spirulina soap making is a ton of fun and will produce absolutely gorgeous naturally colored bars of soap. 

Turmeric is one of the easiest Dyes to work with. A great dye for beginners, it works especially well on animal or plant-based fibers such as silk, wool and cotton, and easily fixes itself to the material with or without a mordant, ranging from bright yellow with no mordant to dark green with an iron modifier. Another plus: it’s a dye that does not require heat – cold water works well for turmeric, and for darker and more orange shades, heat can be applied.

Also known as Indian saffron, Turmeric has been used in Indian cuisine for thousands of years and is found in many foods as a food coloring.