Dharma Pigment Dye On Veg Tanned Leather?

[KateB]

I'm trying to find a non-toxic pigment/ dye to paint designs on veg tanned leather and suede for making baby moccasins. I know "natural" is not always least toxic but it's a place to start. I've spoken to dharma trading and they recommended trying this non toxic pigment dye, even though it is meant for fabric not leather.
http://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/dharma-pigment-dye.html

I have these romantic notions of watercolouring the leather using reduced indigo but I don't know how practical that is. http://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/pre-reduced-indigo-crystals.html

Also found this pigment from dharma but it has to be mixed with soda ash (is that just baking soda?) but it says you can use it on leather

http://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/dharma-fiber-reactive-procion-dyes.html?lnav=paints.html#reviews

Would love your thoughts or recommendations! I haven't got the leather yet for experimenting.

Thank you.

Kate

[Bob Blea]

Hello Kate,

I've never heard of these pigments but if they work on fabric they may work on leather too. However, soda ash is NOT the same as Baking Soda:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate

The article discusses it's use with this type of dye and it sounds like it's primarily used to ensure the pigment will bond to plant based fibers, so that suggests that particular pigment may not be best for leather. However, if the manufacturer says it works, they've probably tried it.

[veedub3]

I actually emailed Dharma and asked that same question several months ago, I was told of the products they sell, the only one suitable for dying leather is their Acid Dyes.

http://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/dharma-acid-dyes.html?lnav=dyes.html

Here is part of that email describing the use of their acid dyes on leather:

"The only thing you need aside from the acid dyes is white vinegar or citric acid to help set the color. The acid adjusts the pH of the water so that the dye will fix to the leather. You might also want some leather conditioner for after the leather dries to help soften it up again if it feels a little stiff."

I never did get around to buying the acid dyes so can't say how well they work, but it is on my to do list.

Karina

[KateB]

Hi, thanks so much for the replies! I actually spoke again with another representative from Dharma and they suggested that the pigments would not adhere to the leather. I did end up ordering a couple of colours from the procion and pigment dyes but also purchased some Angelus leather paint (acrylic based). I'm still hoping to find an alternative to acrylic but I'll update with my findings.

thank you both!

[DavidL]

Are you trying to dye the entire piece in your design or thin lines

Dye sort of soaks into the leather like moisturizer does on your skin, creating a water paint on paper look, only less washed out. I never tried it so it could work out great. Acrylics sit on top and give a solid colour.

Maybe. Just a random thought. Try to get acrylic medium in a store and add your own pigments. Ask the employees if that might work. Im guessing that acrylic medium is the exact same substance found in acrylic paints minus the pigment and some other ingredients.

[KateB]

Thanks David. I'm not certain yet. A bit of both, I suppose. I'd like to be able to draw on some designs, like with a fountain pen (wonder if I can use the Angelus refillable dye pen for pigments or watered down acrylic). But I'm mostly going for a water coloured or "batik" appearance. The order is scheduled for delivery next Thursday but I won't have the veg tanned leather for a while. Not sure it's even worth trying to experiment with the leather I have right now.

I'm actually fascinated with the idea of using indigo but the dharma rep made that sound like a very complicated process.