Vikefan Report post Posted December 25, 2020 I made some natural walnut dye a few years ago and have tried dying my veg tan leather (holster) with it, but when you wet it with water it just washes off. How can I keep the color I want from washing off when I wan to put stitch lines into the leather.. Please help... Vikefan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aven Report post Posted December 25, 2020 Most natural dyes I have dealt with always seem to need something to set it, at least with fabrics. I've not tried a natural dye on leather, well I have used vinegaroon but that's it. Unfortunately all of my books are still in boxes from the move so I can't go through my library and look. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rahere Report post Posted December 26, 2020 This is a real puzzle, because walnut contains its own tanins and shouldn't need fixing. However, sometimes iron (rust) and alum mordants are used. How does the leather handle other dyes? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted December 26, 2020 Is this a new holster you have just made or a old one If old it may well have been treated with a coat of Resolene or similar sealant Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vikefan Report post Posted January 3, 2021 New holster...and leather takes regular leather dyes well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted January 3, 2021 Many natural dyes require a mordant to fix them and make them permanent. That is where I would start my search. Somewhere on LW, there are a thread or 2 that deal with natural dyes. Search for it. Try a google search "site:leatherworker.net natural dye" without the quotes and see what you find. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rahere Report post Posted January 3, 2021 3 hours ago, Northmount said: Many natural dyes require a mordant to fix them and make them permanent. That is where I would start my search. Somewhere on LW, there are a thread or 2 that deal with natural dyes. Search for it. Try a google search "site:leatherworker.net natural dye" without the quotes and see what you find. That's why I mentioned iron and alum. In natural dying, it's usual to use a mordant both as preparation and fixative, they were thought to bite into (key) the material for the dye to grop. The truth id the bond chemically, and the dye to that. Another possibility micht be you didn't let the tannins in the nuts release, tbrough too low a temperature. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vikefan Report post Posted January 6, 2021 Rahere, Thank you... I never thought my temperature was too low.. I will research some more. Thank you. Vikefan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
