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4. BioChromes

Research

onion skins

My inspiration for this week's assignment is the concept of "onion skin (waste)"—turning everyday kitchen scraps into beautiful, functional color. I was inspired by the rich, warm shades that can be achieved using the papery outer skins of yellow onion (Allium cepa). This process aligns perfectly with the principles of circularity and sustainable bio-chromes.."

References & Inspiration

specifically researched how the natural tannins and quercetin (a flavonoid pigment) present in onion skins interact with different mordants and fibers.

Dye book - Isobel Leonard: (Reference how she uses kitchen waste for dyes.)

Woven documentation matrix - Riley Cox: (Reference how their documentation organizes multiple test swatches.)

Tools

1.buckets used for soaking fibers in water before dyeing

2.gloves for hand protection

3.stainless steel used as non-reactive

4.digital scale for measuring

5.respirator or dust mask weared for handling dry poweders

6.Glass containers

7.stove fro cooking dye

8.Onion skins (dry outer layers) — about 2–3 handfuls per 100g of fabric

9.Fabric

10.Water

Process and workflow

Step 1: Prepare the Fabric

  1. Wash the fabric with mild soap to remove any oils, dirt, or sizing.
  2. Rinse the fabric and let it dry slightly. Keep it damp before dyeing.

Step 2: Prepare the Dye Bath

  1. Collect onion skins
  2. Place the skins in a pot and add enough water to cover them
  3. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 30–60 minutes until the color becomes rich.
  4. Strain out the skins and keep the colored water as your dye bath.

Step 3: Dyeing Process

  1. Place your damp fabric into the warm dye bath.
  2. Simmer gently for 30–60 minutes (avoid boiling to protect the fibers).
  3. Stir occasionally for even coloring.
  4. For deeper color, let the fabric sit overnight in the cooled dye bath.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

  1. Remove the fabric and rinse gently in cool water until the water runs clear.
  2. Hang the fabric in the shade to dry. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Ingredients & Recipes

This table includes all essential and additional ingredients commonly used in onion-skin natural dyeing, including preparation, dye modification, and color-fixing options.

Documenting experiments

example from the documentation of Petra Garaiová FabTextiles Barcelona 2021-22

TEST 01 - SILK
Material name Fabric composition Breathability Moisture-wicking abilities Heat retention abilities Stretchability Washing temperatures
Silk Animal fibers - silkworm insect Highly breathable High Low Low Cool or warm
TEST 02 - COTTON
Material name Fabric composition Breathability Moisture-wicking abilities Heat retention abilities Stretchability Washing temperatures
cotton nature fiber - plant Highly breathable High Low Low High
RESULTS

Two ways of showcasing and comparing results with images below

On the left an image of a sample made by SLIK. The dye is more viblant on cotton material becouse cotton is more abslobent.


RESULTS