Weld

Description

If you’re new to natural dyeing, be sure to check out our basic how-to here.

Silk: Brilliant, clear, bright and fast. Use at 50% to 100% by weight of silk, on a 3% Tin fixer-mordant.

Wool: Rich, clear and fast. Use at 50% to 100% by weight of wool, on a 25% Alum fixer-mordant.

Greens: an exception to the rule of “dye Indigo first”, weld is so permanent it never runs into the Indigo vat. The layering of the blue over the yellow gives a depth to the greens that is unique.

Dyers secret: Use a bit of Chalk (calcium carbonate) at the end of dyeing. This will “bloom” and enrich the colour. Add chalk to the silk or wool dyebath only after dying is completed and you turn off the heat. In this way the calcium won’t harm the fibre. Let the dyebath cool overnight, rinse the next day.

Weld smells delicious, like honey! and bees love the flowers.