Video Tutorial by Michel Garcia: www.woolmasters.com
Many dyers, from craftsmen to hobbyists who occasionally engage in natural dyeing, encounter the challenge of managing leftover dyes. Following a dyeing session, pots are often brimming with unused dyes. These natural dyes are not quickly exhausted, and while making pale tones is an option, it requires a substantial amount of pre-treated fabric, which may need to be more readily available. Additionally, pale tones often lack the lightfastness and wash fastness of deeper colors.
Frequently, after some hesitation and a sense of regret, the remaining dye is disposed of. Although this disposal is generally safe for the environment, it feels wasteful to discard valuable dyes. The same happens with the remnants of alum used in mordanting wool and silk, leaving pots of transparent liquid with undetermined alum concentrations that typically go to waste.
Michel Garcia, in his new course, offers straightforward and confidence-inspiring guidance on addressing this issue.
He suggests transforming these leftovers into pigments.
This method is elegantly simple: pigments can be preserved as a paste for extended periods without drying, particularly if a drop of essential oil is added. The process of creating pigments is as engaging as cooking and evokes the spirit of ancient alchemy. These pigments can be later reactivated in an acidic solution for use in dyeing wool and silk or for printing purposes.
The requirements for this process are minimal: leftover dye, some aluminum sulfate or leftover mordant liquid, and a bit of soda ash. You'll also need a funnel and a piece of fabric for filtration. It's important to strain the dye beforehand to remove any plant residues.
Ultimately, the most essential tools are your existing skills, patience and curiosity, which every dyer should possess.