Soy(a) Milk binder for natural dyes
“We go together like milk and cookies”
Soy(a) milk is not a mordant but a binder. It makes cellulose fibres act more like protein fibres and enhances colour uptake. It does not form any chemical bond between the fibre and the dyestuff. If you work with protein fibres, there is less need to use soy milk, as the fibres already contain protein. However it is always fun to experiment to see how adding more protein affects the colours, often giving you access to a wider range of colours.
soya beans contain up to 40% protein and have a component that acts as a binding agent. Cellulose fibres soaked in soy(a) milk absorb some of the protein from the soy(a)and changes the properties of the fibre. When you combine soy(a) milk binder with high tannin natural dyes you can create a very long-lasting (lightfast and washfast) colour.
Soya Milk Recipe:
1 part soya milk to 5 parts water
You can use brought soya milk or make your own - either option work well. If you are using store-bought opt for unsweetened and buy one with the least amount of added additives/additional ingredients. Homemade milk will contain around 10% soya whereas store brought is around 3-6%.
To make your own soya milk at home you will need
125g soya beans
1 litre of water
Soak the beans overnight in some water this gives them time to swell. When swollen add them and your 1 ltr of water to a blender and blend until you have a smooth consistency. When blended well strain the blender contents through a muslin cloth or a nut milk bag. squeeze all the liquid out from the pulp and repeat the above process up to 4 times. When done discard the pulp.
Soya Milk binder Recipe:
400g fabric
1 ltr of brought soya milk or less if homemade milk.
5ltrs of water
Add your 1ltr of soya milk and 5lts of water to a bucket or pot and add your wetted fibre, making sure your fibre has enough room to move freely and is fully submerged under the liquid. Leave the fibre to soak for 12-24 hours and stir occasionally. Remove the fibre from the soya milk liquid and squeeze out the excess liquid, or put on a spin cycle in your washing machine. Removing the excess liquid helps to give a light and even coverage on your fibres. Allow your fibre to fully dry and then give them a second dip into your soya milk solution. This second dip only needs to be until your fibre is fully wetted through - don’t wet your fibre out with water before this step! Wring or spin your fibre again and allow it to dry once more. Give your fibre a third dip. If your soya milk solution has curdled and separated give it a good stir and mix into liquid form again. Depending on your weather the soya milk can turn quite quickly, it is still ok to use for a short while and the smell will soon disappear when your fibres dry. After your third dip wring out and let dry for at least a week before you use it to dye with.
