BIOCHROMES

PROBLEM WITH SYNTHETIC DYE

In green burials, the emphasis is on environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Undyed natural fibers are prefered since many conventional fabric dyes contain chemicals and synthetic compounds that can be harmful to the environment. These chemicals may leach into the soil during decomposition, potentially contaminating the surrounding ecosystem.

But burial clothing shouldn't be white only . Natural dyes, derived from plant-based sources, are more eco-friendly compared to synthetic dyes, giving more colour options to burial garments.

NATURAL DYE

MATERIALS

Cotton	Linen	Silk	Bamboo	Wool

PREPARATIONS

WEIGHING YOUR MATERIAL

Weighing fibers before dyeing is a fundamental step to ensure precision and consistency in the dyeing process. Knowing the weight of your fibers gives you an idea of how much mordants and dyes you need to use in the following steps.

SCOURING

Scouring is a crucial preparatory step in the dyeing process of fabrics. It cleans the fibers and enhances their ability to absorb dye uniformly and effectively.

How to:

1. Put dye materials into a large pot of water.

2. Add soda 10% weight of the materials.

3. Simmer for approximately 1hr. Stir occationally. (The resulting water may look yellow brown.)

4. Allow fibers to cool down slowly and then rinse in hot water.

Material name	Fabric composition	Breathability	Moisture-wicking abilities	Heat retention abilities	Stretchability	Washing temperatures
Cotton	Cellulose Fiber	High	High	Low	Low	< 40°C
Linen	Cellulose Fiber	High	High	Low	Low	< 40°C
Bamboo	Cellulose Fiber	High	High	Low	Low	< 40°C
Silk	Animal Fiber	High	High	High	Medium	< 30°C
South American Wool	Animal Fiber	High	High	High	Medium	< 30°C

MORDANTING

Mordanting is a process where a mordant, typically a metallic salt or compound, is applied to fibers before dyeing to help fix the dye molecules onto the fibers more effectively. Different mordants may give you different results in colours. Here I used alum as my mordant.

How to:

1. Boil enough water to cover all of your fibres.

2. Add Alum 15% weight of your material.

3. Mix thoroughly until dissolved.

4. Wet your fibres.

5. Simmer for 1hr, stir occasionally.

6. Remove and wash with cold water

ROSES

How to:

1. Put rose parts in the pot when the water reached 80 degrees.

2. Simmer for 1 hour.

3. Leave fibers in the dye baths for around 1hr.

4. Rinse in water.

Tools

- Tongs
- Measuring Scale
- Stove
- Spoon
- Pots

Recipes

Name	Measurments	Original Colour	Dye Colour	Water
Red Rose Petals	50g	Red	Yellow	2 liters
Rose Sepals	50g	Green	Brown 2 liters
Rose Stems	50g	Green	Brown	2 liters
Rose Leaves	50g	Green	Brown	2 liters
Pink Rose Petals	50g	Pink	Yellow	2 liters
White Rose Petals	50g	Pink	Yellow	2 liters

RED ROSES

ROSE SEPALS

ROSE STEMS

ROSE LEAVES

PINK ROSES

WHITE ROSES

TULIPS

How to:

1. Put tulip parts in a mesh bag and then put in the pot when the water reached 80 degrees.

2. Simmer for 1 hour.

3. Leave fibers in the dye baths for around 1hr.

4. Rinse in water.

Tools

- Tongs
- Measuring Scale
- Stove
- Spoon
- Pots

Recipes

Name	Measurments	Original Colour	Dye Colour	Water
Purple Tulip Petals	50g	Purple	Green	2 liters
Tulip Stalks	50g	Green	Yellow	2 liters
Red Tulip Petals	50g	Red	Yellow	2 liters

PURPLE TULIPS

TULIP STALKS

RED TULIPS

NATURAL PAINT

ROSES

How to:

1. For 1 liter of pigmented water we add 15 grams and alum. Stir until everything is dissolved.

2. Add a little bit of soda until the pigmented water doesn't created more bubbles.

3. Prepare an empty jar, coffie filter and a sieve to filter out all the water.

4. Once all the water is filtered, the pigment is ready.

Tools

- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Scale
- Stirring Spoon
- Sieve
- Coffie Filter

PINK ROSES

ROSE STALKS

BIO MATERIALS

FLOWERS TO COMPOST

GELATIN BASED

GELATIN WITH WOOL

GELATIN WITH POTATO STARCH

GELATIN WITH CHICKPEA STARCH

PAPER

Some flower shops use non-biodegradable materials, such as floral foam or plastic wraps. The improper disposal of these materials adds to plastic pollution, impacting ecosystems and marine life.

MAKING PAPER FROM PLANT FIBERS

In this video, Cory Morrison demonstrates how to make paper from grass, which helps me with making paper from flower waste.

MATERIALS NEEDES:

1. Plant fibers
2. Blender or food processor
3. Fine mesh screen or mold and deckle
4. A container large enough for your mold and deckle
5. Sponge
6. Cloth or felt
7. Heavy books or a press

MAKING A MOULD AND DECKLE

In this video, Cory Morrison demonstrates how to make a mold and deckle.

DIY MOULD AND DECKLE WITH PHOTO FRAMES

MATERIALS NEEDES:

1. Photo frames
2. A piece of fine mesh
3. Stapler and staples

TULIP LEAF PAPER