Technical Considerations For Natural Colour

Technical Considerations For Natural Colour

ao textiles Wednesday, 1 December 2021

A 27 minute Technical Tutorial from ao textiles, that takes you through the challenges and opportunities for producing and using natural colour at scale. The team behind the studio - Karen Spurgin, Penny Walsh and Emma D'Arcey - with their bundle of expertise introduce you to fascinating historic methods and ingredients that can be revitalised in modern textile production to create sustainable and ethical - even regenerative - colour. They give specifics on furnishing fabrics and homewares from their experience in developing these products for industry, in collaboration with the likes of Gainsborough Silk Weavers.

There is a part two, with additional technical considerations on using surface pattern design for soft homewares and interior products. Find that here.


In this Technical Tutorial you will learn:

  • About the ao textiles studio and team
  • Challenges and opportunities for natural colour at scale, including receptivity of stakeholders
  • Considerations for historic techniques, methods and ingredients, including utilisation and discard of waste
  • The importance of reducing environmental impact of dyeing
  • Technical terminology including light fastness and colour fastness
  • Technical considerations for appropriate weaves and fibres, specifically for homeware products and outdoor furnishings

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