Our Fabrics
Rivarossa Botanicals is a conscious brand that focuses on ethical and sustainable practices in every aspect of our production process. Our commitment to sustainability begins with our sourcing of fabrics, all of which are ethically sourced from India. Our choice of materials is carefully selected to ensure that they complement our design and are environmentally friendly. Below is a list of our materials and a bit about why we chose them to work with.
Peace Silk
This is a non-violent process of silk breeding and harvesting. It allows the full transition of the metamorphosis of the silkworm to the butterfly. No animal suffers or dies for this material. It is manufactured under the most strict social and environmental standards in India. This material is cruelty free and vegan friendly.
GOT Organic Cotton
Organic Cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, and grown without the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. This promotes building biologically diverse agriculture.
Linen
Linen is one of the oldest textiles in the world and made from flax plant materials. It is the ultimate natural material and is one of the most environmentally made materials to produce. Linen is also fully biodegradable.
Hemp
This material is often seen as an environmental ‘Super Fibre’. Hemp fabric is strong and durable. It won’t stretch out of shape and is very breathable. Hemp is ethical, sustainable and environmentally friendly. It is also naturally organic and uses no herbicides or pesticides to grow.
Natural Fabric Dyeing
In the world of natural dyeing, the process of achieving beautiful, eco-friendly hues is a journey filled with many variables and endless opportunities for learning and growth. At Rivarossa Botanicals, we understand the frustration of starting out in a new skill, only to have nature take over and create a product that is not quite what you expected. However, with time and practice, the natural dyeing process can become a beautiful part of the creative journey.
Scour
Scouring is an important step in preparing your fabric for dyeing. It involves washing your fabric or fiber thoroughly to remove any natural oils, dirt, or other contaminants that could prevent the dye from fully penetrating the material. Without proper scouring, your dye may be uneven or not take at all. The process you use to scour will depend on the type of fabric you are using, as different materials require different washing methods. For example, wool requires a more gentle scouring process than cotton.
Mordant
Mordanting is a critical step in natural dyeing. It is the process of treating your fabric or fiber with a mordant, which helps the dye to bond to the material and creates long-lasting color. The type of mordant you use can affect the final color of your dyed fabric, as well as the durability of the dye. Some common mordants include alum, iron, and tannin.
Tannins
Tannins are natural substances found in many plants, such as oak galls, sumac, and tea. They can be used in natural dyeing to help fix the dye to the fabric and create color variations. Tannins are particularly effective when dyeing with plant-based materials, as they can help bring out the natural color of the plant. Tannins can also be used as a mordant, as they can help the dye bond to the fabric.
Bundle Dye
Bundle dyeing is a technique where you place plants, flowers, leaves, or herbs onto your fabric to create prints or patterns. The material is then bundled up tightly and steamed, allowing the natural colors from the plant material to transfer to the fabric. The resulting pattern is often unpredictable and unique, making each piece one-of-a-kind. This technique is often used in combination with other natural dyeing methods to create interesting and varied designs.
Eco Dyeing
In eco-dyeing or printing, plants are enclosed in fabrics and bundled by winding-over rods. You can also stack the fabrics in layers and steam or immerse them in hot water to extract the pigments and produce a print made with the various plants you choose to use.
Dye Bath
The dye bath is the process of using various natural materials such as plant matter, flowers, leaves, or roots to create different colors. These materials are typically heated with water to extract the natural dye, and the fabric is then soaked in the resulting mixture until the desired color is achieved. Different materials will produce different colors and hues, and experimenting with different combinations can lead to a wide range of beautiful, natural colors.
WOF (Weight of Fabric)
The weight of fiber (WOF) is a measurement used in natural dyeing to determine how much plant material or mordant should be used in the dyeing process. It is typically measured as a ratio of the weight of the fabric to the weight of the plant material or mordant. This ensures that you are using the correct amount of materials for successful results and prevents wastage.