The Prairie Fibers Company™

Beyond the Ordinary in Surface Design

[ The Prairie Fibers Company ]

Pigment Painting

Kimberly Baxter Packwood  © 2001

    Pigment Painting is relatively easy, and very gratifying.  Many earth pigments are available today for experimentation.  The only equipment needed is fabrics, soy milk, pigments and brushes.

    Your fabric should be washed prior to painting with pigments, do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets, as this interferes with the pigments ability to bond with the fibers.  Protein fabrics, such as silk and or wool may be used, in addition to cellulose fibers, cotton, hemp, linen, etc...

    You can pre-treat the fabrics with soy milk first, or you can mix soymilk with your pigments, and paint onto dry fabrics.  after painting allow your fabric to cure for a minimum of three weeks prior to washing. I allow my pigments to ferment, in the traditional method, prior to painting the fabrics. I also use pigments in combination with natural dyes and earth oxides.

Mineral Dyeing

Mineral dyeing is also known as rust and copper dyeing. You can achieve mineral dyes in many ways. 

    The most common method used is to take a piece of iron or copper, place in a jar with ammonia or vinegar, and allow to soak.  The soaking period varies, depending on the results you are aiming for, generally the longer the better.  I allow my metal pieces to soak for a minimum of four weeks.

Oxide Painting

Oxide painting is very easy, the only equipment you will need is fabric, iron oxides, brushes and a small container for your oxide solution.