e-Books - Papahoa Fibreworks Ltd

Scabiosa Black Knight - 50 seeds

Coreopsis seeds

Dried coreopsis [coreopsis tinctoria] - 50g

Woad Seeds

Soda Ash - 500g

Soda ash (sodium carbonate) is an essential alkaline agent in natural dyeing used primarily to scour (clean) cellulose fibers like cotton and linen, raise the pH of dye baths for brighter colours.<br><br>It is used at 1-2% of the fiber's dry weight (WOF) to remove oils and waxes before dyeing.<br> <br>Soda Ash is considered non-toxic, but working in a ventilated area and wearing a mask and gloves is best practice whilst handling this powder. I recommend keeping any tools used for this process separate from kitchen tools. Alum acetate may be safely disposed of in a municipal water system by pouring down the drain.<br><br>This material comes in a natural biodegradable cellophane. We recommend transferring this to a glass or plastic jar for long-term storage.

Potassium Titanium Oxalate - 100g

Potassium Titanium Oxalate is used for the mordanting of protein and cellulose fibres. The Titanium aids in producing bright oranges with some tannins.<br><br>Use at 8-10% WOF. Dissolve in hot water. Add to the dye bath, add fibres and cook for 45-60 minutes at 75-90° C, stirring frequently.<br> <br>Titanium Oxalate is considered non-toxic, but working in a ventilated area and wearing a mask and gloves is best practice whilst handling this powder. I recommend keeping any tools used for this process separate from kitchen tools. Alum acetate may be safely disposed of in a municipal water system by pouring down the drain.<br><br>This material comes in a natural biodegradable cellophane. We recommend transferring this to a glass or plastic jar for long-term storage.

Dried madder root [rubia tinctorium] - 100g

Weld Seeds

Marigold Seeds

Dried sulphur cosmos [cosmos sulpheurus] - 50g

Fresh Leaf Indigo approx. 250g

Using fresh indigo leaves allows you to enjoy the offerings of this iconic dye plant, without the hassle of growing, extracting pigment and then preparing a vat. Fresh indigo leaves can be utilised in many ways using techniques such as the salt rub method and the ice blender method. These can yield incredible robin egg blue shades that are hard to obtain with other dye materials. The fresh leaf indigo process is best used with protein fibres - it has a particular affinity for silk.<br><br>Pre-order, for despatch on Wednesday the 4th of February<br><br>Each pack will be harvested on the morning of Wednesday the 4th of February, from our Tai Tapu farm plot and kept cool before being quickly vacuum-packed to retain freshness. It will then be sent overnight, and suggest using it within 24-48 hours of its arrival for best results. We recommend using 200-300% WOF (weight of fibre) to obtain the shades pictured. A higher WOF will obtain darker shades. Each order will come with instructions on how to process the indigo using the salt rub and ice blender method, and also carry fabric care instructions to ensure your colour is long-lasting.<br><br>Pre-order today to give fresh leaf indigo dyeing a try!

Dried french marigolds [tagetes patula] - 100g

Calcium Carbonate 100g

Calcium carbonate, or ground white chalk. Used to neutralise any remaining aluminium acetate or iron mordant. Can also be used as an assist to 'harden' water, to aid in the deepening of shades in certain natural dyes.<br><br>Add 50g of chalk (calcium carbonate) to 5 litres of warm water. Fully wet the fibre in this solution and wring out, before rinsing thoroughly. This solution can be reused for up to 10kg of fibre.<br>

Symplocos

Symplocos is a natural, plant based mordant. The leaves are a natural bioaccumulator of aluminium, and when harvested and groundintoo powder, these made an effective mordant. it can be used on both cellulose and protein fibres at 50% WOF.<br><br>Note that Symplocos does impart a yellowish shade onto your fabrics, and will therefore affect your final dye colour.<br> <br>Symplocos is considered non-toxic, but working in a ventilated area and wearing a mask and gloves is best practice whilst handling this powder. I recommend keeping any tools used for this process separate from kitchen tools. symplocos may be safely disposed of in a municipal water system by pouring down the drain.<br><br>This material comes in a natural biodegradable cellophane. We recommend transferring this to a glass or plastic jar for long-term storage.<br>

$17.00 - $31.00

Aluminium Acetate

Aluminium acetate is used for the mordanting of cellulose fibres such as cotton, linen and hemp. Use at 5-8% WOF.<br> <br>Alum acetate is considered non-toxic, but working in a ventilated area and wearing a mask and gloves is best practice whilst handling this powder. I recommend keeping any tools used for this process separate from kitchen tools. Alum acetate may be safely disposed of in a municipal water system by pouring down the drain.<br><br>This material comes in a natural biodegradable cellophane. We recommend transferring this to a glass or plastic jar for long-term storage.

$14.00 - $27.00

Ferrous Sulphate 100g

Ferrous sulphate, more commonly known as iron, is used as a natural dye modifier, darkening (or 'saddening') natural dyes. It also can act as a mordant, to improve light and wash fastness for dyes,<br><br>Ferrous sulphate is considered toxic, keep away from children and pets, work in a ventilated area and wear a mask and gloves whilst handling this powder. I recommend keeping any tools used for this process separate from kitchen tools. <br><br>This material comes in a natural biodegradable cellophane. We recommend transferring this to a glass or plastic jar for long-term storage.<br>

Aluminium Triformate - 100g

Aluminium Triformate is a room temperature mordant for both cellulose and protein fibres. part of the alum family, it is a more recent addition of mordanting options for the natural dyer, gaining popularity (particularly with wool dyers due to its temperature requirements) for its low-impact process (water & energy saving). It produces similar results to that of alum acetate, and can be used with a pre-tannin bath to help improve dye fastness. use at 5-10% WOF.<br> <br>Alum Triformate is considered non-toxic, but working in a ventilated area and wearing a mask and gloves is best practice whilst handling this powder. I recommend keeping any tools used for this process separate from kitchen tools. Alum Triformate may be safely disposed of in a municipal water system by pouring down the drain.<br><br>this material comes in a natural biodegradable cellophane. We recommend transferring this to a glass or plastic jar for long-term storage.<br><br>

E-book for Kitchen Waste Dyes

Learn how to utilise your kitchen waste with our handy e-book!<br><br>Join us in learning how to turn food scraps destined for the bin, into beautiful colourful additions to your home.<br><br>In this e-booklet, we’ll be focusing on two dyes: avocado and onion skins but the same techniques can be applied to a host of other food waste options.<br><br>Let us take you step by step, to create beautiful lasting waste free colour at home.<br><br>* Please do not copy or re-distribute this material<br>Copyright Papahoa Fibreworks Ltd 2025

Aluminium Sulphate

Aluminium Sulphate is used for dyeing protein fibres such as wool and silk. it can be used at 10-15% WOF (weight of fibre). cream of tartar can be used in addition to this mordanting process to assist with the bond of the mordant. it can also be used to mordant cellulose fibres in addition to a tannin bath. <br> <br><br>Alum sulphate is considered non-toxic, but working in a ventilated area and wearing a mask and gloves is best practice whilst handling this powder. We recommend keeping any tools used for this process separate from kitchen tools. Alum may be safely disposed of in small amounts via a municipal water system by pouring down the drain.<br><br>This material comes in a natural biodegradable cellophane. We recommend transferring this to a glass or plastic jar for long-term storage.

$13.00 - $22.00

Community Monthly Dye Lot - MAY '26

Clothes hold stories worth keeping. Our Community Dye Lot is designed to give textiles new life, infusing them with rotating monthly options of plant-based colour, keeping them in use for longer.<br><br>MAY Dye-Lot colours: MULBERRY + MUSTARD<br><br> HOW TO ORDER <br>Because natural dyes only bond with natural fibres, we can only accept garments made from cotton, linen, hemp, wool, silk, or other natural materials.<br>We charge by weight, so pop a bowl on your kitchen scales to check how much your garment weighs before placing your order. Our current weight limit is 1kg per item.<br><br> DEADLINE <br>Please send us your garment by the 20th of May to ensure it arrives on time. We'll aim to dispatch your freshly coloured items by the end of May, but it may take an extra few days during our farming season.<br><br> IMPORTANT <br>We value the organic, imperfect, and evolving beauty of plant dyes. By sending your garments to us, you’re stepping into this living process. We trust that you, like us, see these variations not as flaws, but as part of what makes naturally dyed textiles special.

$32.00 - $98.00

Show more