Copper Mordant Recipe

		Weigh out the fiber. Place the fiber in a pot of warm water with detergent and simmer for one hour.
		Drain and rinse.
		Weigh out 10% copper and 5% tartaric acid of the dry fiber weight. Combine in a glass jar with warm water to dissolve.
		In a large dyepot, heat enough water to cover the fiber to 120. Add copper mixture. Mix thoroughly. Add the warm, wetted fiber to the dyebath Bring the dyebath slowly up to 190 and simmer at about one hour. Remove the dyepot from heat and let the fiber cool in the bath for one hour.
		Wash and rinse.

	Tips on mordanting:
	Always pre-wash your fiber in washing soda to move any grease or sizing left in from the animal or the manufacturer. In a large pot of hot water, add one spoonful of soda, stir until dissolved and then add the fiber. Boil for about one hour and rinse thoroughly. When mordanting, start with warm water and slowly raise the temperature to just below boiling. By doing this, air in and around the fiber is expelled and the fiber is softened. Make sure the fiber is thoroughly wetted before you immerse it any bath. This will ensure a smooth uptake of the bath and prevent splotches. Always start your mordant or dye in a small jar of water then, when fully dissolved or after a overnight soak, add it to the pot. Make sure that there is ample room in the pot. Move the fiber around several times to make sure the fiber is dyed evenly. Let the fiber cool in the bath, rinse then squeeze gently to remove excess water and hang to dry or while still wet, use the fiber immediately.