2. Mordants. Creating affinity
This tutorial explores one of the most essential — and often misunderstood — foundations of natural dyeing: how to create lasting bonds between dye and fiber using mordants and tannins.
Michel Garcia combines chemistry with centuries-old wisdom, drawing on traditions from India, Egypt, and medieval Europe to show how different fibers (wool, silk, and cellulose) respond to various treatments. Through clear demonstrations and insightful explanations, you'll learn to build color that is not only beautiful, but stable and enduring.
🕒 Approx. 3 hours of video
📄 Includes a 25-page illustrated handout with recipes and diagrams
🎙️ Narrated in English, with subtitles in French, Italian, Spanish, and German
Classification of fibers
If we want sustainable and beautiful results, we need to understand our fibers
Aluminum and earth crust
What elements and what compounds can we use in order to stay eco-friendly?
Lecture: Chemistry of mordanting process
There are two basic strategies. Eastern strategy is respecting affinity, and Western (european) strategy is creating affinity.
Lecture: home-made Aluminum acetate
Michel explains the chemistry of the very important process: how do we prepare Al acetate for mordanting.
Demo: 3 ways to prepare Al acetate
Michel shows 3 method of preparation of this best mordant for cellulose fibers (and eventually for silk).
Preparation of iron acetate. Combination of aluminum and iron mordanting.
This demo is important for all dyers, but it is crucial for ecoprinters.
Classifications of tannins
We would need tannin for many purposes, let's understand the chemistry of tannins...
Double mordanting with aluminum and tannin
Demonstration and recipes
One-bath process
This technique is almost magical, although it is based on scientific approach. It suits not for every fiber and not for every dye.
Traditonal mud dyeing
Michel explains the techniques of bogolan, chinese and Shipibo mud dyeing...
European techniques of calico printing, role of mordants
Michel ecplains the basics of monochromatic and polychromatic techniques
Conclusions
summary for mordanting process