Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: Indiana on July 23, 2008, 07:11:42 PM

Title: Natural Dyes for cloth and leather
Post by: Indiana on July 23, 2008, 07:11:42 PM

So, other than walnuts, what makes for good natural dyes that can be used on cotton or linen garments?  I've read some about osage orange, but don't know what to do with it to make the dye.  Does anyone have any information on other types of period dyes and how to make them?  What mordants are needed, if any?  Any good websites?

Also, besides the vinegar and iron dye, are there any other dyes for leather that can be homemade?  

Thanks for the help!

Title:
Post by: Pichou on July 24, 2008, 03:47:29 PM

Hello,

Only one other black for leather that I know of.  That was lampblack and tallow for harnesses.

For dyes, check google books.  Circle of the Mechanical Arts, 1813 has a huge chapter on dying.  BTW Sumach and walnut hulls were the commercial brown dye of the era.  

Title:
Post by: the Black Spot on July 25, 2008, 02:45:22 PM

you could try some berries(blue, poke, mulberry, black, etc.)
crepe myrtle blossoms put in water and clothing will turn a brown color(don't know if crepe myrtle is native to USA)

Title:
Post by: Loyalist Dave on July 25, 2008, 03:41:15 PM

Right well a couple of peach baskets of goldenrod blossums will give you a nice bright yellow, but you have to add a mordant like urea, or boil it in an iron pot, to get it to stay.  

Sumac leaves will often give you a good gray, but again you have to play with the mordant.  Iron oxide is a good one for sumac, so boil the leaves in an iron pot.  

LD

Title:
Post by: tac on July 25, 2008, 11:43:05 PM

Hello,
       (1) You can use missletoe it will give you a light green, (2)You can use shoemack it will give a redish color ,(3)onion skins  gives you a yellow color.  There is a few, hope this helps.
                                                          tac.

Title:
Post by: edwardamason on July 26, 2008, 06:30:39 PM

There are a couple useful items about natural dyes located on this thread over on FF

http://frontierfolk.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=17545 (http://frontierfolk.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=17545)

I posted some stuff about Indigo dyes and Matt Nelson posted a whole series of dyes and uses.

Its a pretty long read but well worth the look.

Title:
Post by: cb on July 27, 2008, 01:06:55 PM

documented historical leather dyes...
logwood - was used for blacks and dark browns. Thinned down can be used for grayish browns.

saffron & annato - yellows, oranges, reds, and reddish browns

cochineal - reds and reddish browns

Non-documented:
coffee - makes a great looking brown on braintan, chamois, and bark tan

Title:
Post by: woodman on July 28, 2008, 11:56:56 AM

Have tried berries in the past. They color for a short while then fade rather quickly.
 Woodman