Alchemy + botany

I thought dyeing with indigo was alchemy because of its witch’s-brew froth and magical emergence of blue from lime green. Then I thought that dyeing cloth with Procion MX dyes was alchemy because of the “secret” formulas and unpredicable results… that only came with patient waiting. But now I know that dyeing with natural botanicals is where the true mystic chemistry resides. I’ve been consulting India Flint’s Eco-Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles and Sasha Duerr’s Handbook of Natural Plant Dyesas well as numerous websites. It is chemistry, yes, in that plant color bonds with fiber, usually with the help of “mordants” like iron, aluminum, copper, etc. But it seems to be chemistry for people who love the unpredictable… people who believe that the mysteries of the unpredictable are gold. I am realizing that books and articles are guides only… read them, then go with your instincts. – Continued here>>>