Katha, Catechu, Black Cutch, Acacia Catechu, Japan Earth – the oldest dyestuff ever known goes by many names. And here in India, katha is remembered by the deep red colour it stains the lips of paan eaters!
We extract this dye by steeping Katha wood in hot water until it thickens to a saucy consistency. This solution is dried and ground into a powder so you can give the objects around you a beautiful makeover.
the shades it holds
Katha gives you the most distinct shades of toffee, cinnamon and clove brown. This dye extract contains tannin and catechu dye components which make dyeing with Katha different. While cotton is usually hard to dye, Katha's tannins allow the fabric to take in and retain more colour.
While mordants are not a must, adding in alum gives toffee browns, soda ash will give a reddish hue and iron gives chocolate browns. Leaving the fabric in the dye bath for the night will yield the deepest browns. Get your Katha dye today and let’s get you started!
from one dyer to another
Dyeing with natural colours involves letting nature take its course. The shades you get will depend on the quantity of dye, water’s composition, dyebath’s pH, mordants, type of fabric, weather conditions and your own skill. This means it’ll take some time and a lot of practice before you can create the exact colours you were hoping for.
That’s why we urge you to enjoy the process of colouring using pieces from this Earth instead of worrying about the final product. Savour the moment you hold the fabric that you coloured and all the tiny imperfections it holds.
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