4. BioChromes

Research

I am heading into Biochromes week feeling both excited and a bit unsure, Getting hands-on with living colors will be a fantastic learning opportunity. Embrace the lab coat life, and who knows—you might discover something amazing!

Though my experience with dyeing is limited to some ikat warp dyes with synthetic colors, I’m deeply intrigued by the soft, layered hues that natural dyes can bring to my weaving practice. There’s a beauty in the subtle gradations and imperfections, and I find myself drawn to those mottled, textured surfaces that capture the raw essence of color in its truest form.

yarn natural dyeing

Natural dyeing is a slow and almost magical process. Watching dyes extracted from natural material transform an undyed skein of yarn never seems to lose its fascination for me. Granted, the color is a bit different each time and never completely predictable. But this is exactly what I like about using botanical dyes.

Humans have been using natural dyes for a long time and it is possible to create the whole color spectrum with them. Archaeological finds indicate that natural dyes have been used to dye textiles for at least 6.000 years

text here is the procedures used to make yarn natural dyeing

Colors Of Nature: Connecting Science and Arts

The article, Colors of Nature: Connecting Science and Arts Education to Promote STEM-Related Identity Work in Middle School Girls, explores an educational program that combines science and art to engage middle school girls in STEM. It discusses how integrating artistic methods into science projects—such as dyeing with natural pigments and experimenting with biochromes—can promote curiosity and build confidence in STEM skills. The program aims to inspire future STEM interests by providing hands-on experiences that connect scientific concepts to everyday materials and creativity text

Day 1, Learning and prepping fabric

On our first day, we conducted research on biochromes and natural dyeing, and prepared some fabric for use. text

Materials

1. Yarns(2)
2. Red onion ( 1kg)
3. water ( 2L)
4. Source pan
5. Spoon

6. lemons(3)

7. knife

Procedures

1. Boil water, then add skin onions
2. Boiled the mixture for of skin onion and water about 30min
3. Threw yarns in a pot with water
4. Boil mixture of yarns and onion skin about 1hr
5. Rinsed well and hang dried

preparation of skin onion

The picture shows the onion skins I’ll be using.

Day 2 preparation and conducting an experiment

These onion skins will be boiled for 30 minutes to extract their colors

Onion skins contain various beneficial compounds, including antioxidants. These compounds have been associated with potential health benefits, such as reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and supporting immune function, that's why we boil onion skin before using it.

This picture shows the boiled onion skins, ready to be used for dyeing.

I chose these yarns because the white color, being the lightest and achromatic (without hue), provides a neutral base, while the silver color, with its sleek, metallic shine, adds a solid, visually striking contrast associated with shades of gray.

# Result after Experiment

this picture shows the color of white yarn after experiment

this picture shows the color of silver yarn after experiment but i did not get the color I want for white yan

Really Dyeing is a journey full of unexpected surprises, and each step offers something new. From preparing the dye bath to watching the fibers absorb color, the process unfolds in a series of transformations. Initially, it’s all about gathering the natural dyes, understanding the plants or materials used, and preparing them to release their pigments. The fibers are often pre-treated, or mordanted, to ensure the dye adheres well, enhancing color vibrancy and fastness. Once the material is submerged in the dye bath, time, temperature, and patience play crucial roles; the dye slowly seeps in, creating unique shades and textures. After rinsing and drying, the final result may vary in ways that defy prediction, revealing unexpected patterns, textures, or color tones that make each piece one-of-a-kind. This unpredictability is part of the beauty of natural dyeing, where each outcome is a testament to the collaboration between maker, material, and nature.

## Advantages and Disadvantages of yarn natural dyeing

Advantages are their friendliness with human skin and health as stimulants in cure of some deceases and protection over microorganisms.

Disadvantages The colour pay-off may also not be right for all projects .

Conclusion

The use of natural dyes in the colouring of textile materials is gaining interest as a result of the stringent environmental regulations in textiles and apparel enforced by nations concerned with nature and health protection. People are being forced to choose natural dyes due to the toxicity and allergic reactions of synthetic dyes. Natural dyes are an environmentally friendly source of colouring agents. In addition to textiles, it is used to colour meals, medicines, and other goods. Although natural dyes are safe for the environment, skin-friendly, and eye-pleasing, they have very poor bonding with textile fibre materials and must be fixed on textile fibres using metallic colourants, some of which are not environmentally friendly. In order to create textiles that are entirely eco-friendly, more research is required on the use of natural dyes on various natural fibres.

As a result of dyeing after my research, lighter colors were obtained in cotton than in wool.

Natural Dyeing with Red Cabbage

After my first experiment didn’t go as planned, I decided to try dyeing with red cabbage. Known for its rich, purple pigment, red cabbage offers a natural dye that can produce beautiful shades, especially when combined with different pH levels to create variations from pinks to blues. This experiment felt like a fresh start, allowing me to explore the unpredictable, fascinating colors that come from plant-based dyes.

Red cabbage is a fantastic choice for natural dyeing at home! As you've noticed, it produces vibrant pink, purple, and blue tones that change beautifully depending on the pH. When dyeing cotton, however, achieving deep, intense colors can be a challenge because cotton is less receptive to natural dyes than protein fibers like wool or silk. To get those deeper hues, consider pre-treating the cotton with a mordant, which helps the dye adhere more effectively.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of red cabbage on yarn cotton:

1 Mordanting: Try a tannin-based pre-mordant (like oak gall or tannin extract) followed by alum to improve color uptake on cotton.

2 Adjusting pH: Red cabbage dye changes color with pH. Add a bit of vinegar to achieve pinker tones, or baking soda for blue to purple hues.

3 Heat and Timing: Simmer the cotton in the dye bath for 30-60 minutes, then let it sit overnight to deepen the color.

4 Re-dyeing: If the color still feels light, repeat the process to build up layers for a richer shade.

This method can help you achieve more saturated, eye-catching colors with food waste dyeing!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

1 Alum powder or an aluminium stone

2 One red cabbage (Depends on how heavy your fibers are)

3 A knife and cutting board

4 Rubber gloves

5 A large staining steel pot.

6 A pair of heat resisting gloves.

7 A wooden spoon.

PREPARATION AND CUTTING CUBBAGE

Boiling red cabbage is essential in natural dyeing because it releases the pigments in the cabbage, allowing them to infuse the water and create a dye bath. Heat breaks down the cabbage’s cell walls, releasing anthocyanin pigments that provide the vibrant purple, pink, and blue colors. The temperature and duration of boiling help extract the maximum color, which can then be absorbed by the fibers for a more saturated dye effect.

Additionally, the heat allows for better color intensity and even dye coverage. Boiling red cabbage for 30–60 minutes usually creates a rich dye bath that’s perfect for natural fibers!

Once the red cabbage dye bath is ready, it's time to submerge the yarn. Place the pre-mordanted yarn carefully into the pot, ensuring it’s fully immersed in the vibrant cabbage dye. Let the yarn simmer in the dye bath for at least 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even color absorption. You’ll start to see the yarn pick up beautiful shades that can range from light pink to deep purple or even blue, depending on the pH level of the dye. After simmering, allow the yarn to cool in the dye bath for a few hours, or even overnight, to deepen the color further. Finally, rinse the yarn in cool water until the water runs clear, then hang it to dry in a shaded area.

After dyeing, the yarn reveals a stunning array of hues, showcasing the natural beauty of red cabbage dye. Depending on the pH of the dye bath, the yarn may have taken on colors ranging from delicate pinks and purples to vibrant blues, adding depth and character to each strand. The mordanting process has ensured that these colors are vivid and will hold fast over time. As the yarn dries, the true shades emerge, bringing out the subtle, organic variations that make natural dyes so special. This hand-dyed yarn, rich in color and texture, is now ready to be crafted into something unique and full of natural charm.

# References

1 for red cubbage dyeing : text

2 for onion skin dyeing:text