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the MAIWA BLOG

Madder Crop



Maiwa’s Natural Dyes – Where do they come from?

We use natural dyes extensively in our own production. This is the best way to know how a dye behaves and see the changes that happen from harvest to harvest. Because we use the same dyes we sell, we can ensure that each package contains the best available dyestuff.

Our policy is to acquire the raw dyestuff in its most elemental form (wood chips, roots, petals, dried leaves) so that we can ensure purity. We then process it into the form (usually a powder) that works best for the artisan dyer. Some dyes are always extracts: lac, indigo and cutch for example. In order to provide natural dyes in a more versatile form for certain processes, we partner with trusted companies in Europe to extract the dye component from raw materials.


Maiwa sells cultivated dyes. We work directly with farmers where we can visit the farm and observe the conditions of cultivation. Our indigo is from South India, and is certified organic. We also sell the leaves in powder form for use as a hair dye. Pomegranate rinds (high in tannins) are collected all over India. The dried skins are a by-product of fruit consumption. Many natural dye plants are considered weeds – they have great vitality and do not require pesticides. Indigo, for example is weeded by cows and goats (who eat the weeds but not the indigo). Maiwa also encourages small scale, non-gmo, organic farming methods.


We don’t wild harvest or trade with wild harvesters. In other countries wild harvesting is difficult to monitor and can have adverse effects on traditional forest-dwelling populations. We encourage the public to exercise caution if wild-harvesting and to be aware of local ecology. Sensitivity is especially important with lichens. Windfall is often preferable to harvest, but windfall also has its own ecosystem – a variety of insects, birds, animals, and other plants depend on it. Only taking one part in ten is a good rule to follow.

Maiwa maintains an extensive dye-testing practice in addition to using its own dyes in production. We routinely evaluate natural dyes on a variety of fibre types with a range of mordanting procedures. It’s fun work – because we love natural dyes.


Fields of Indigo



See all of Maiwa's Natural Dyes






MAIWA'S DYEABLE CLOTHING & BLANKS
The Perfect Surface for Natural Dyes


See All Dyable Clothing

See All Blanks

See All Yardage








THE ULTIMATE NATURAL DYE KIT

The ultimate kit is a dye studio in a box. It contains everything you need to dive deep into the world of natural colour. From the initial scour to  the final rinse — this kit has you covered.  Priced at a discount to get you started.

See our Ultimate Natural Dye Kit Here

See All Kits




ADDITIVES

The dyeing process usually requires additives. Additives are used to mordant the colour and shift it in interesting ways. Additives are also used to modify dyes for processes such as silkscreening and block printing. You will also find the additives needed for discharge techniques, scouring, after washing, and neutralizing. Descriptions are found with each additive. For more detailed information, see our data sheets.


See all Additives



INSTRUCTIONS

We believe in sharing information.Find everything you need to get started in our comprehensive guide to natural dyes — Free online!


The Maiwa Guide to Natural Dyes




OUR WEBSITE DEDICATED TO NATURAL DYES
naturaldyes.ca


Visit Maiwa's naturaldyes.ca Here




This journal has been an idea of ours for a long time. It is a little like a combination of a travel journal and a natural dye journal. It is the journal we have always wanted!

See The Natural Dye Journal Here





See All Books About Natural Dyes

See All Books



To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount. 

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 No comments

Click here for Parts 1, 2, & 3 of how to make The Banana Indigo Vat.


NATURAL INDIGO – THE BANANA VAT

How to build an organic indigo vat. Sophena Kwon shows how to build the banana vat. This one is the most popular recipes. It gives a bright clear blue.

See all products used for the banana indigo vat and shaped resist tutorial here





We believe in all forms of making,
  Now is always the best time to start — let's begin.





THE COCHINEAL
SPRINKLE SCARF

This is a fun project that is quick and easy to do. The grey merino wool scarf gives a beautiful tone to the rich saturated reds and yellows from cochineal and weld. Bundle dyeing can give delightfully unexpected results. The moment you open your bundle is aways special — you might want to have a friend with a camera ready!


Click here for downloadable instructions on our naturaldyes.ca website.

See all products used for the cochineal sprinkle scarf tutorial here



SETACOLOUR
A SEA OF COLOUR
Three projects to bring a little colour into your day. Painting a canvas bag, carve and print your own block, and the magic of abstract colour.

Click here for the Setacolor Fabric Tutorial

See all Fabric Paints

See all Blanks Perfect for Painting & Dyeing






BLOCK PRINTED BUNDLES,
UNDYED COTTON, LINEN/HEMP BUNDLES,
& UNDYED SILK & WOOL BUNDLES

See all Offcut Bundles Here



PROCION MX TIE DYE KIT
A great weekend project for everyone indoors or outdoors!
3 awesome colours (fuchsia, yellow, turquoise) they can be mixed to make all colours in between. Comes with full instructions.

See the Procion MX Tie Dye Kit Here

See All Kits Here


EARTH PIGMENTS KIT

Earth pigments come from clays and oxides and are best known by names such as burnt sienna, umber and ochre.  Maiwa works with small companies who prepare these pigments using centuries-old traditional methods. Our pigments are ground extra fine for textile use.

See the Earth Pigments Kit Here

See the Downloadable Instructions Here



MAIWA'S DYEABLE CLOTHING


See all Dyeable Clothing

See all Natural Dyes




See The Maiwa Guide to Natural Dyes Here

See How to Dye with Indigo Here



TANNIN IRON
EXPLORATION KIT

This Kit lets you dive into the world of grey. Myrobolan, pomegranate & gallnut are all rich in tannin that reacts with ferrous sulfate to create a variety of different greys.


See the Iron Exploration Kit Here

See All Kits Here




See All Blank Textiles

See All Yardage



To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.

Thursday, May 20, 2021 No comments





Natural dye on organic cotton; printed using hand-placed wooden blocks in the traditional method. Each piece is a square of crafted brilliance. These naturally dyed bandanas have many different uses: wear them around your neck or tied in your hair; they make the most colourful bundles, they cover a small table nicely, or set a spot for lunch. Anywhere a square of cloth is useful: a block printed bandana.


See all Individual Bandanas & Bundles








See all Individual Bandanas & Bundles





AJRAKH BLOCK PRINTERS OF INDIA

Ajrakh is a traditional block printing technique that has been practiced for centuries. Natural dyes are used to create eloquent geometric patterns on cotton that reveal a remarkable play between figure and line.  

Blocks are hand-carved from hardwood and then used in a printing process that can involve between thirteen and twenty-one distinct steps. The many processes of scouring, washing, printing, dyeing, and final washing can take up to three weeks to complete. Much of the beauty and depth of ajrakh cloth comes from the intricacy of the imprint that is left by the artisans hand. Instantly recognizable—there is nothing like an ajrakh.

Read More About the Ajrakh Block Printers Here



DABU BLOCK PRINTERS OF INDIA

The fabled pink city of Jaipur sits at the centre of a cluster of traditional block printing communities. For centuries patterns have been created by dipping carved hardwood blocks into dyes and resists in an elaborate process that is complicated and time-consuming. It is also a source of great pride for the artisans who still practice it. These block printers are also masters of the Dabu process - a unique mud resist that is only found in this area.

Read More About the Dabu Block Printers Here




To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.


Tuesday, May 18, 2021 No comments
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