Preliminary results

Last Monday we were hard at work in the kitchen concocting our first dying potions. The evening filled our nostrils with plenty a funny perfumes from the musky Turmeric to the gag worthy combination of vinegar and Sumac plant. We attempted to extract pigments both from plant matter we had researched and tried our luck on a few strange specimens we found in China Town. We had a dye vat for each of the following items: turmeric, sumac, generic mushrooms, red onions, beets, spinach, curry seed, medlar berries, hibiscus, safflower and tamarind.


For better extraction of pigments we ground, grated and mashed certain materials such as the beets or sumac.

We pre-soaked all of the materials in warm water. Applying direct heat would cook the colour rather than extract it. For the purpose of this trial we used smaller amounts and took less time than would normally be required in the final process. we simmered the materials in pots for half an hour with salt. Then we removed the plant matter from the extracted "dye bath".

In the spirit of sustainability, we sustained our hunger with the mush of spinach, onion and mushroom accompanied by a little hummus and pita.


We added 2 ladles of white vinegar to each dye bath and dissolved more salt into the mixture on low heat. The vinegar is the "mordant". A mordant is needed in the process of dyeing to fix the process. If this is not done successfully the dye is impermanent, light fast and therefore a stain. Essentially, we are pickling our fabrics with pigments.

We used Cotton and Silk to test the dye qualities. Due to the differing origins of these materials (plant and insect) they react very differently to pigment, often unpredictably. The samples soaked on low heat for a half hour and then rinsed with cold water.

Results:
The spinach, generic mushrooms and tamarind were totally ineffective unfortunately. We were really impressed with the ash-rose quality of the Hibiscus, vibrant yellow of the Turmeric, the golden orange of the Safflower. The beets show potential, however we obviously did not make a potent enough bath.


Lesson learned:
we created several nuances of reds, pinks, yellows and oranges. green and blue still pose a challenge. if we cannot create the sustainably and locally, we'll have to modify our design and aesthetics around these restraints.

Next Step:
Do it again. better, longer, stronger... and stinkier!

Stay tuned to our next results!