The Design Process...
The Pandemic has effected everyone’s daily life. Before we step out the door, we now have to think about wearing a mask to protect ourselves and community. In our conversations with families and friends, there has been discussions of skin allergy reactions to certain type of masks, uncomfortable fits, and how most masks are generally unattractive. The Goal was to provide a mask made of 100% cotton with natural dyes to reduce allergy reactions, and make a comfortable attractive mask. The result The Natural Mask. Given the material and natural dye, the mask is compost ready reducing our impact on the environment.
Foraged Ingredients
14 Day Process…
Soy Bean Preparation
Mordant
First step is to prepare the cotton fabric. In order to make the natural dye bind to the fabric, we use 100% soy bean as our mordant. No use of metals were used. We prepare the soy bean and soak the fabric in the soy milk. The process one week.
Natural Plant Dyes (Acorn)
Dye
Second step is forging the dye materials. This process has been fun and eye opening. We gather items such as acorns, leaves, and bark from nature and coffee grounds, avocado skins and onion skins from our kitchen. We then prepare the dye by soaking the material in water until it is ready to be used.
The fabric is then soaked in the dye and dried. The natural dyed fabric is then sewn into the mask.
Given this natural process, the fabric will fade, hopefully like the pandemic.