The Beauty of Bengala Dyes
Dyeing to Weave Studio is an official Australian distributor of Bengala Dyes. Bengala Dyes are handcrafted in Japan by Kosyokunobi – a small family company based in Osaka. Kosyokunobi means “Beauty of Ancient Colours”.
In Japan, historically Bengala Dyes were used on wood to protect it from sun damage, against insect infestation, and to preserve the wood against the elements. The durability of the dyes helps wood to last a very long time.
However, as cheaper timber imports, petrochemical-based paints and different materials are now used in building, there is less demand for Bengala Dyes for wood application and protection. Kosyokunobi, recognizing a decline in the use for protecting wood, has moved to producing dyes for dyeing other materials such as yarn and cloth.
Bengala Dyes are Eco-Friendly
Bengala Dyes are produced from iron oxide pigments from the earth. Different soils from different locations provide different colours. Kosyokunobi have also devised ways of changing the colour of the soil through heating, producing a range of gorgeous earthy colours for dyeing.
The dyes come from the earth and the leftover liquid is just water that can return to the earth. No waste and environmentally friendly to use.
Bengala Dyes are Easy to Use
Just add cold water! Bengala Dyes can be used without a mordant. Once immersed in water and with some agitation and kneading the cloth, the microscopic particles of the earth dye embed in the cloth structure and it is colour fast once dry. Bengala Dyes can be used on all kinds of materials: cotton, silk, wool, linen, rayon, hemp, ramie, paper and synthetic fibres.
For deeper colours and best results, a prefix solution can be used. This will help the earth particles to bond more strongly to the cloth.
Bengala Dyes are Beautiful
There are 12 gorgeous earthy colours to choose from in the Bengala range. Bengala also produce Susume (soot) dye and a super easy to use Indigo dye colour.
Bengala Dyes are Economical
As you work the Bengala Dye into the cloth, the water becomes clear – so there is no dye wastage! Only use a couple of capfuls at a time and add more only if needed to ensure your Bengala is used up efficiently!
Bengala Dyes are Safe to Use
No boiling dye pots bubbling away on the stove. No chemical based mordants and toxic substances. Bengala Dyes are natural and non-toxic and, as you only need to use cold water with Bengala Dyes, they are safe and easy to handle and use. Bengala Dyes are great for children to use and enjoy the magic and wonder of dyeing cloth!
Bengala Dyes make beautiful stencils
Bengala dyes can be thickened to make beautiful paints for stencil work on fabric, paper, leather and wood! With the addition of the Bengala thickening powder, you can create gorgeous paints from any of the Bengala dye products for a myriad of projects. It even works with Bengala Indigo and Susume (soot) dye.
Bengala Dyes available:
3-colour Bengala Starter Set with Prefix $70
A 3-pack Bengala Starter Set is a great way to experiment and try out Bengala Dye with 3 popular colours – and there are 3 sets to choose from. Each 50ml bottle will dye a couple of T-shirts or a number of skeins of yarn (depending on strength of colour required). Plus you can mix colours together to increase your palette!
In the set you also receive a 50ml bottle of prefix solution. The prefix allows the dye to bond more strongly, giving you a stronger colour and enabling you to use less dye for greater results.
Starter Set colours available:
200ml dyes $55
The 200ml dye is an economical way to use your favourite colour. Each 200ml bottle will dye around 2kg of cloth (depending on strength of colour required).
Bengala Dye 200ml colours available:
Bengala Prefix solution
The Prefix solution helps the earth particles in Bengala Dyes to bond more strongly to the cloth fibres, intensifying the colour, making the dyes more colourfast and enabling you to use less dye. If darker colours are desired, using the prefix solution is highly recommended. The prefix is non-toxic and made from ammonium salts.
As you only use 3% prefix based on the weight of your dyeing materials, it is very economical. Prefix can also be reused to help strengthen layers of colour on the one project.
Prefix solution comes in 3 sizes: 50ml, 125ml and 250ml.
To order your beautiful Bengala Dyes and prefix solution, head to the ONLINE STORE
If you have any questions about Bengala Dyes, please fill in the form below or contact Prue at prue@dyeingtoweave.com.au
