The more you experiment and the more you want to know about natural dyes.The more you know and the more you want to progress.
The use of mordant in the process is quite an issue in terms of sustainability. Mordant is used to help in creating a strong bond between fiber and dye and therefore make the color last. I work hard toward finding a mordanting process which is as safe and sustainable as possible.
I use a very little amount of alum in my dye pot and only if it is absolutely necessary. I would eventually want to cut it completely from the mordanting process and therefore tannin became very important in my dyeing process as it can help colors to last.
I can also dye with tannin rich plants on their own as there is no need to had another mordant.
