Dyeing
The wool industry in New Mexico involved the importation of dyestuffs from Mexico and Central America as early as 1630. Here at Centinela we purchase imported natural dyestuffs from all over the world. By mastering the art of using natural dyeing materials, we are not limited to the colors available in commercial dyes or in factory dyed wool. The hue, shade and intensity of the colors are determined by the chemistry of the dye bath, the concentration of the dyestuff, and the length of time the yarn spends in the dye bath.
The process of dying most colors of wool include:
- Mordanting; the mordant is the material chemically bonding the dye to the wool, setting the color;
- Extracting the dyestuff from the natural material to create the dye bath;
- Dyeing the yarn by cooking in the dye bath;
- Rinsing dye residue from the yarn;
- Washing the yarn with soap, and;
- Air drying the yarn.
Custom acid dyed colors are also available.
Light and washfastness of all dyes is variable. Some of our natural dyed yarns are very lightfast, eg. indigo. Others are prone to fading in direct sunlight. Naturally dyed pieces seem to age well as colors change in subtle ways over time.
