A Cochineal Dye Workshop

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aDid you know that you can get a beautiful natural dyed RED from bugs? Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) grows on cacti of the Opuntia family (prickly pear cactus) and is native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico.

from left: Irene (me),  Rocio, Robin

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Recently, Cotton Clouds sponsored a Cochineal Dye Workshop at Meridian Jacobs Farm with owner, Robin Lynde. Rocío Mena Guitterez (our gal from The Natural Dye Project: see her blogs) came from Mexico City to share her knowledge of the process of turning dead bugs into RED! aaa

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First we tried our hand at stamping fabric with varying concentrations of mordants and then immersing them in the cochineal dye bath.  Note that the background on these remain white because the fabric was not pre-mordanted prior to stamping and when immersed in the bath only the stamped areas took the dye. 

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Cochineal is grown on farms in Oaxaca, Mexico. The males are separated from the females and discarded since it is only the females that give the red dye. (No one could figure out how they knew male from female!) aaa

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Lots of tiny Cochineal bugs are ready for us to grind up into a fine red powder. a

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Traditionally, a mortar and pestle is used to turn the dried cochineal bugs into a fine powder, but these modern-day gals resorted to their handy coffee grinder to do the trick in a flash! aaaa

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Once the water is hot, the fine powder goes into the pot along with a few natural chemicals and is simmered for about an hour.  Although we were all anxious to get our cotton and silk scarves into the dye bath, we took a lunch break and patiently waited for the magic to begin!

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Ah, pure gold, but this time it’s pure RED!    The bath is strained, removing any residue cochineal powder. We goofed, and dropped the strainer and cloth and had to start all over again, but the results was well worth the extra labor!

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Now the fun of dyeing our pre-mordanted silk and cotton scarves, that Rocio provided, is about to begin!  We were so anxious to see the results that we started to pull the fabric out of the dyepot, but Rocío kept warning, “No, no, no!  You have to wait!”

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Now the fun of dyeing our pre-mordanted silk and cotton scarves, that Rocio provided, is about to begin! Into the dyepot goes our stamp-designed cotton scarves. We were so anxious to see the results that we kept lifting them out of the pot.  “No, no, no!” said Rocio, “leave them in the pot!” a a aa a

At the end of the day, we were all very happy cochineal dyers!        Thanks Rocío!

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Friendship Towel with Tintes Naturales Kit

If you don’t have time to dye your own cochineal yarns, order our Friendship Towel with Tintes Naturales kit to make towels, vests, jackets, baby blanket and more!  The cotton yarns are dyed with cochineal, osage orange, madder and indigo!

Guatemalan Weaving Adventure

Mayan Hands

Guatemalan Fair Trade Weaving Adventures

January 20-30, 2016

Host, guide, and translator Deborah Chandler, author:

Traditional Weavers of Guatemala: Their Stories, Their Lives
Learning to Weave and Guatemalan Woven Wealth

mayanhandsny@mayanhands.org

To register: Mayan Hands Tour Registration Form

 What You Will Do

– Meet Mayan Hands weavers In their homes and communities

– Try your hand at backstrap weaving

– Shop the world-famous Chichicastenango market

– Visit Mayan sites and museums, including Museo Ixchel, named for the goddess of weaving.

– Savor delicious traditional Guatemalan foods

-Explore Guatemalan Highlands, beautiful Lake Atitlan and the colonial city of Antigua.

 Click HERE for complete itinerary.

What You Will Find

Experience the natural beauty of Guatemala and immerse yourself in Mayan culture, ancient and contemporary, in the homes of weavers, in extraordinary markets and museums and in your connections with Guatemala’s greatest treasure, her people.

You will return home with your spirit renewed and hope restored.  Plus of course, a suitcase of gorgeous handwoven fabrics!

The Details

– Trip cost of $1895 includes all lodging (double occupancy), most meals, local transportation, translation, entrance fees and $400 donation to Mayan Hands (with tax deduction receipt). Airfare and personal expenses not included.

– Discounts available for Mayan Hands supporters. Contact us for details.

For more information and trip itinerary click here  or email Deborah Chandler at weavingfutures2012@gmail.com