4. BioChromes

I did not know before Cecilia's lecture what the definition is for BioChromes. Google definition: "BioChromes are microscopic, naturally occurring pigments produced by living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, that give them their color. These bio-based coloring matters, also known as biological pigments, are responsible for the colors in things like bird feathers, fruits, and leaves, and can be extracted for use as natural dyes."

Inspiration

BioChromes is trending. It is inspiring to see the techniques we'll be exploring in class in magazines and advertisements that serve the sustainable fashion movement. This week's learning outcomes will help me to better understand how natural dying works so I can look for examples and applications in popular culture including magazines, sales ads, and a variety of references.

Research

History and Current State of Natural Regional Textile Dyes:

I have always been interested in Stony Creek Colors, locted close to Nashville in Springfield, TN, known for making sustainable indigo: https://www.stonycreekcolors.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo451SS3sLEjx8JL_8Sg2Wd2VzJDN3PtdyjTdVLTSIT_H1bzInI

"Stony Creek Colors harnesses the power of nature to replace synthetic, petrochemical-derived colorants with traceable, 100% plant-based dyes that enrich farm ecosystems, combat climate change, and empower people with safer, cleaner color."

My Process

I cut a variety of cellulosic textiles into pieces, approximately 8”x10.” Weighed my 5 ounces of assorted cellulostic fiber textiles including 100% cotton knits, plain and twill weave; linen and rayon blend; and yarn. • Scoured by boiling them together in water with ½ teaspoon of soda ash • Mordanted them with alum: 15% of the weight of the fabric, 5 oz x .15= .75 oz alum, soaking at a hot but not boiling temperature for over an hour.

Making my Natural Dyes

Avocado: heated 1 avocado pit with the skins of 1 avocado in a small pot with water for 90 minutes

Yellow onion: put the outside layer of skin of five yellow into a pot and heated it for 90 minutes, then left the skins in there overnight

Turmeric: 1 teaspoon turmeric, 4 cups of water, plus 1 cup of white vinegar.

Dying the Textiles

Cut each fabric into thirds, and put them into my three dye pots:

1 with a teaspoon of turmeric

1 in pink water from avocado pit and skins

1 in yellow dye from boiling and soaking yellow onion skins

Dyed Textiles, Assorted Naturalistic Celluostic Fibers

Completed Textile Sheets

Making My Dies into Pigment

Recipe: Day 1: 6.75 ounces of tumric dye 3/4 teaspoon of alum 3/8 teaspoon soda ash

Day 2: Pour the dye through a coffee filter Take the sludge that is left and let it dry I am waiting for my pigment to dry so I can test it out!