Thread Dye And The Search For Natural Thread

[Boriqua]

I am trying to do a couple of pieces that are as natural/organic ?? as possible. I am not ready to tan leather so I am kind of stuck there. I am sure the process is laden with chemicals.

I have made some beautiful natural dyes that I am happy with. I have made small sewn objects and have dipped them in paraffin which makes the pieces nice and stiff and makes the natural dyes look nice and deep. I am using some botanical material and so far have figured out how to not have it crumble after time . So I think the only thing I dont have locked down is the thread.

I have been using tandy's waxed thread and the thinner awl thread and have read more about thread on this group than I knew was possible

Still .. Now I am curious as to what dye's or processes are used to get the colors into the thread? What are they using to make the thread brown or black.

I am considering hemp and trying to dye it myself but I don't know what thickness to use. I have been able to find 1mm and 2mm hemp. Linen and cotton would be fine but all I find are waxed so I wouldn't be able to dye it. I hand sew everything. Any and all help would be appreciated. This project has been a blast. Kitchen is a mess but hey ... sacrifices have to be made.

Thanks!

Alex

[cem]

You can get natural undyed linen thread from Campbell Randall http://www.campbell-randall.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=43_60_62

I've used the Barbours Linen 6 cord and dyed it with normal leather dye but you should be able to dye it with the natural dyes you have made.

[ramrod]

i've dyed my Barbour's linen thread with leather dye, but it seems to bleed ENDLESSLY!! can't get the color to "set" in it.

[Kevin]

I use leather dye or Ritz dye. You can tan leather without chemicals, just chop down some trees, strip off the bark, grind it up and make a liqueur and soak away.