Punica granatum
The powdered skin or rind of the pomegranate can be used as a tannin mordant and as a dye.
It is high in tannin and improves the light and wahfastness of any dye with which it is mixed. It works well with cellulose fibres – but also with silk and wool.
Without a mordant a yellow – beige colour can be achieved.
With a mordant a golden yellow can be achieved and with a small amount of iron – mossy greens.
How to dye with pomegranate peel:
100g of pomegranate peel
100g fibre
Soak the pomegranate peel in hot water overnight.
The following day – simmer for 1 hour.
Leave to cool and then strain through cheesecloth. This liquid is your dyebath.
Add the liquid to the dye bucket and add sufficient water to cover the fibre to be dyed and allow it to move freely in the dye bucket. You could use the contents of the cheese cloth to rinse and squeeze in cold water and use this water in the dye bucket to attain the volume of liquid required to cover the fibre if necessary.
Add your pre-wetted mordanted fibre to the dye bucket.
Raise the temperature to a gentle simmer and hold at that temperature for 1 hour.
Leave to cool.
Rinse. Wash. Rinse
If this is the colour you are aiming for – allow to dry out of direct sunlight – however if you are aiming for a mossy green add a small pinch of iron to another bucket of hot water and stir well.
Add your yellow fibre to the iron bucket stirring well. The colour will change very quickly – when you have achieved your desired colour, remove from the iron bath.
Rinse. Wash. Rinse.
Dry out of direct sunlight.
