Welcome to one of the most versatile and sustainable natural dyes we have to offer. This fragrant orange dye is made from the heart of Sappan wood trees, also known as Asian Brazilwood dye after its dyestuff – brazilin.
After Brazilwood from Brazil beame endangered due to reckless extraction, Sappan took centrestage in natural dyeing due to its fast-growing, renewable nature.
the shades it holds
Sappanwood dyers will tell you that despite being easy for beginners, affordable and efficient, this ingenious dye is not used or talked about enough. It yields shades of pink, orange and purple so bright, they will immediately transport you to the vibrant streets of Rajasthan.
The hues can be manipulated by using mordants, altering the pH of the dyebath or quantity shifts. With alum, you can create bright crimsons, while copper can get you deep wine colours.
Due to its light sensitivity, objects dyed with Sappan need to be kept out of sunny areas or they will lose colour.
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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