Projects
A list of items featured in our Projects. For instructions please see the "Tutorial 01" story on our instagram feed.
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Maiwa
Cochineal 30g (1.1 oz.)
$12.95
Visit product page →Cochineal – is the most important of the insect dyes. The females of Dactylopius coccus colonize the prickly pear (nopal) cactus native to Mexico, Central and South America and the Canary Islands. Peru is currently the primary export country, shipping out over 4000 metric tons annually. This dye is found mostly in food, drugs and cosmetics. Cochineal has excellent light and washfastness and produces a powerful range of fuchsias, reds and purples. The colour changes with the mordants used and pH of the dyebath.
Although expensive, it is very concentrated. The bugs have a high dye content (carminic acid) and go a long way. You will need only 3-8% WOF for a medium depth of shade.
Mordanting: use alum mordant at 15% WOF for protein fibres. For cellulose mordant with tannin at 8% WOF and then alum at 15%, or alum acetate at 8%. If cream of tartar at 6% WOF is added to the alum mordanting bath or the dyebath, the colour achieved will be more towards Christmas red. With the addition of iron at 2-4% WOF to either the mordanting bath or the dye bath the colour will shift towards purple.
Dyeing: The colourant is first extracted from the dried insects. Gently grind the insects in a blender or use a mortar and pestle to crush them to a fine powder. Put this powder into a saucepan and cover with three inches of water. Boil for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and set aside. Place the cochineal pulp back in the saucepan and again cover with water and boil for 30 minutes. Add this decanting to the first decanting. Repeat 2 more times. Some dyers will then keep the remaining pulp in a jar of water for several weeks and use in subsequent dyebaths.
The combined decantings are used to make a dyebath.
Cochineal is sensitive to acids and bases. The cochineal rich red can be shifted to orange with the addition of an acid (vinegar) and to a deep fuschia with the addition of an alkaline (soda ash). This sensitivity means the soaps used to pre or post wash your fibres must have a neutral pH.
For in-depth information on natural dyes see our Guide to Natural Dyes available on naturaldyes.ca. Also available as a Printable PDF
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Maiwa
Weld Extract 30g (1.1 oz)
$26.95
Visit product page →Weld or Dyer’s weed has been used as a dyeplant for many centuries in the Mediterranean, Europe and North Africa. It has been a long time favourite yellow due to its intense colour which has excellent lightfastness. Dyeing: Use extract on previously mordanted fibre at 7-10% WOF.
For in-depth information on natural dyes see our Guide to Natural Dyes available on naturaldyes.ca. Also available as a Printable PDF
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Maiwa
Orvus Paste 100g (3.5 oz)
$5.95
Visit product page →This is an excellent soap for afterwashing naturally dyed fibers and fabrics. It is also good for washing protein fibers and fabrics to restore lustre.
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Maiwa
Potassium Alum Sulfate 100g (3.6 oz.)
$3.95
Visit product page →The mordant most frequently used by natural dyers for animal and cellulose fibers and fabrics. It improves light and washfastness of all natural dyes and keeps colours clear. It is inexpensive and safe to use (but should not be ingested). This form of alum is refined from bauxite, the raw state of aluminum ore, and is free from the impurities some other alums can contain (such as iron). Use at 12-20% WOF.
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Maiwa
Scarf - Wool Merino Natural Grey
$49.95
Visit product page →A soft wool shawl that is twill woven using fine merino wool. It is both warm and lightweight. The raw fringe gives a clean finish to the shawl. It measures approximately 71cm x 200cm (28” x 78”) and takes dye very well. We love using natural dye extracts on these.
We offer a wholesale price for a set of six scarves.
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Maiwa
1/2 Dozen - Wool Scarves Merino Natural Grey
On sale $299.70 $209.70
Visit product page →Set of 6 scarves. Our sets are discounted to sell at wholesale pricing (approx. 40% less).
A soft wool shawl that is twill woven using fine merino wool. It is both warm and lightweight. The raw fringe gives a clean finish to the shawl. It measures approximately 71cm x 200cm (28” x 78”) and takes dye very well. We love using natural dye extracts on these.
Regular $49.95 each or $34.95 each by the 1/2 dozen.
