Madder and Indigo dyed Tunic

Description

From Garden to Fabric

The pattern in this ecoprinted Madder and Indigo dyed tunic is created with locally sourced leaves. Ecoprinting is a technique in which leaves are laid down on the fabric, rolled into a bundler and then either boiled or steamed. This method transfer the leaf shape to the fabric. It can also be done on paper.

As well, stitch resist adds to the design. Stitching on the fabric is pulled together to form a resist. This resist stops dye from penetrating all areas of the fabric.

The pattern in this beautiful piece of clothing is organic in appearance and can not be duplicated, when using these techniques. I consider my tunics to be works of wearable art and as such, that is how I create them.

All of my naturally dyed items are designed and hand dyed, by myself, in my small studio, in central Ontario, Canada.

The process of Natural Dyeing

Firstly, the fabric must be scoured. Next is mordanting. In the case of cellulose fibres (linen, cotton, flax, hemp), the fabric is usually soaked first in a tannin bath. Finally, the fabric is put into a mordant bath. The mordant attaches the dye particles to the fabric. Mordants are necessary in all natural dyeing in order for the dye to “bite” or take hold in the fabric. Once these steps are completed, the fabric is ready to be dyed.

Dye, Print and Stitch

Hand dyed items, such as this tunic take much time and effort. Each dye colour is prepared separately and requires a minimum of one hour in the dye pot.

Please allow for some slight imperfections that are the result of the hand dyeing process. Due to the nature of natural dyes, the colours vary in different lighting conditions and they change over time. That is the beauty of the natural dye process!

This is a perfect gift for a special friend or for yourself. My customers have described my naturally dyed items as eye-catching and desirable.