An EcoFriendly, Biodegradable, All Natural Ink For Printing On Cloth

                         Finding the Most Ecological Way of Printing .

While printing I have noticed how much ink is used, it didn't take long before I realized I needed an alternative to bought chemical based dyes. Previously I have used naturally dyed yarns so it made sense to create my own inks.  Using the natural environment around me to create colours is something that inspires me. We all have a need new processes that will reduce climate warming by reducing carbon emissions. Creating your own natural dyes and inks prevents this, it also reduces the use of packaging and the use of some transport emissions if you buy products. One other reason is that I am hoping the process will be less expensive.


Research developed shown in Sketch Book.

Allotment Progress.

Allotment Development

 Farmland restoration and regenerative agriculture is part of a multitude of different processes that can reduce global warming by reducing emissions. Conservation agriculture which includes non tillage using organic fertilizers can reduce carbon emissions.Claiming back land which is currently laying to waste can also help emission outlay. 

I have been spending time weeding and pruning back trees ready for a better grope of apples and other fruits including a hidden raspberry crop I have found under weeds.I have also uncovered a small pond ideal for  small  invertebrates that can reduce small greenfly etc that can damage crops. Garlic can be planted using specially grown garlic cloves similar to seed potatoes which are easy to plant by dissecting individual gloves and planting 1 inch below soil. Sowing from seed is a process I am developing as I believe it is the most economic. Any money I am spending I am logging so I can access costs annually. Potentially a significant amount of global emissions, pollution and plastic waste can be reduced via a collective carbon footprint. Some small changes in lifestyle can help our plant rejuvenate and start to repair the damage that is currently occurring. 

                       

Eating Apple tree probably a Golden delicious variety

Chicken Shed with run to develop.

 Conservation Agriculture

There are a multitude of different approaches that can be developed to reduce climate change and in turn reduce emissions. Climate change science is developing new techniques and ideas continually, new advances in science in recent times have added much needed responses and solutions for our planet. Some of the most important solutions include renewable energy, forest protection better management of soil ans also marine conservation.  Draw down is a terminology which is being used which can not only describe a reduction in emissions but can also add a reversing narrative as well. Reversing climate change to a position that is neutral giving our planet the best possible change of conservation survival. 

18.11.18 Update image of Allotment.

Plenty of work as been achieved, however still plenty to do. Fish pond has been filled with water however unfortunately it has a leak. It will need a new liner. Burned a lot of rubbish during Bomb fire week and found a hidden raided bed. Currently I have digging up  compost from my back garden and I am filling raised beds. I was given a number of old window frames which I am going to make into glass covered raised beds. I have also started growing beans on window ledges.

January 2019 Digging has began.

The soil is currently soft and ideal time to lay a pathway and plan growing beds.

Seeds planted, test running a small amount.

Sunflowers

Woad shoots.


Larger area of soil dug, not much to go.

The soil has had some deep weed roots, brock the prongs on my fork.

This area is destined for potatoes and onions. The seed potatoes are bought.Decided to buy early potatoes so I could plant early. Get this veg growing show on the road.

May 2019 update.

Broad beans are on their way, flowering quite nicely. It's important to watch for black fly on these plants.

Potato crop is on its way.

Purple onions these will be ready in October.

Courgette plant. These should bare a lot of courgettes. I am needing to weed quite a lot and I am considering a striker with a battery as their is no electricity at the allotment.
 Seedlings Potting  out.

Once your seeds have grown in small pots, the next thing is to thin out and re pot. It’s not always necessary, however for fine seeds you get little seedlings which need there own space. The hand made pots made from newspaper makes this a lot easier as you can open them up and reveal the seedlings and roots without damageing.
Separating small seedlings into individual pots using hand made newspaper pots. 

Delicate hands are needed for this process. Pulling apart seedlings with care.

I have been using my new generator that runs on unleaded petrol. The ideal suituation would be to use solar power, however I need quite A high ratio of electricity and therefore have purchased this small portable generator from eBay. I have needed to strim back all the green areas as they became really over grown a good 3 ft of grass and nettles. I have been using an electric rotavator as doing by hand was too difficult. 

Currently I am waiting for seedlings to grow a little more before planting out carrots, Swiss rainbow chars and spinach.

New seedlings that have been separated and planted individually in hand made eco conscious upcycled newspaper pots that will decompose naturally allowing seedlings roots to grow outwards.

Climate Change a Global Challenge.

                                                        Climate Change

Antarctica Ocean  Santuary Campaign image of a Whales Tail photographed by Jiri Rezac

Climate change is know effecting us all, the world is in a global warming process that scientists, governments and the general public are now aware of. The Antarctic is melting at a rate that is not sustainable which is why a conservation area is needed to be created in this area plus global plans to reduce global warming via a number of different strategies. Presently their is a Southern Ocean whale sanctuary established.This was set up in 1994 via the IWC (International Whaling Commission). However the Japanese government is arguing that it is contravening international conventions for whaling regulations.
What is being proposed is the biggest ever ocean sanctuary on earth within the Antarctic.
The campaign which is being spearheaded by Greenpeace is to increase its present sanctuary which is 50 million square kilometers adding another 1.8 million square kilometers.
If you would like to get involved and sign the petition go to help-create-an-antarctic-sanctuary

Ecology Evolution

My project is an exploration of the natural world, looking at the way natures resources are depleting and how ecology is developing and where it should be heading in order to create a better future for our planet. I will be integrating traditional and digital art to create new textiles and wall art.

Part of my project development is about my own awareness of how my personal choices can help in some small way to reduce my personal carbon foot print and in some way through visual imagery help to encourage others to push for more savings in how we all live and to push for a new bigger Antarctica Sanctuary in order to save the area and all living creatures that live there.

what-if-we-never-started-hunting-whales

                                  Natural Dyes and Ink Development

Using natural processes in designing is part of my project using natural forna to make colours for printing and dying is part of my approach to ecology design practice. I have therefore managed to find an allotment to start my process of printing and dying naturally. Growing your own produce can reduce carbon emissions and encourage others to do the same.
For the purpose of the printing process development I will be looking at forna that is abundant locally i.e nettles, acorns, horse chestnuts. Due to time constraints I may have to use dried flowers and possibly bought organic dye powder. Indigo dye is one natural dye process I would like to develop used in Asia and other natural dye formulas into days textile industry,it can be grown in England easily. It is used in Denim and is a dye that is traditionally exceptionable as a fad-able colour within fabric.

Fez: Morocco Historical Dye Complex: Still being used in the same way as previously in ancient times.    

                                               Tote Bag Developments.

This is the Lino that has been cut using fine and big cutting tool. I will print it onto fabric and also onto some paper. The design is one colour , Indigo onto natural in dyed and cream onto navy linen. Evaluation. It looks like it may need the whale fin bigger, I will find out better when I print it. The lettering needs to be a bit more formalized and the slogan could be improved in some way. The back of the tote could have more information ,swing tickets with more information about the amount of plastic in our oceans and giving actual detail and global pollution issues could be added , however developing eco inks and dyes is far more important than the visual imagery as it would have more impact on developing an answer to my inquiring question.  

Tote bag Manufacture.

The tote bag is madebon cotton canvas because its strong and eco conscious due to its natural properties and its degradable processes which do not effect wildlife in the same way as plastic.

I have been inducted into the fashion department production studio area were I have made up my first tote bag using a bagging out processes for the linning removing any seams showing. The lock stitched are brother and they have steam presses for pressing as you go through the manufacturing process this gelps with the quality and finish of the sample.

Tote bag sample 1. Cream canvas, linned in cotton with internal pocket for phone and pens.

Reworked Tote Bag Design.

Reworking previous design to include mare made style whale tale in a larger scale. Making the lettering more interesting taking inspiration from Rauschenberg poster designs. Keeping the general format and seagull. 

Almost Completed.

The new lino plate to improve on initial print for tote. Larger whale tail, improved waves and re worked lettering. Extension to task: Try a two colour lino print include white surf waves and highlight areas in white and indigo blue. Try other colour combinations black/grey, creams/ochres, reds/ creams.
Ethical Fashion Fashion
Ethical fashion its the new buzz word
for eco friendly clothing that embellishes social responsibilities. Responsible ethical fashion can equate exquisite design and quality without loosing touch with morality and ethical standards. Ethical fashion philosophy embraces the concept of creating beautiful designs
with ethical production practices as a reasonable choice to sustainability concerns about pollution and global warming. An ethical fashion collection means from fibre production to the finishing stitches and through to packaging needs to be eco-conscious using sustainable materials . 
A conscious effort has been made to respect the people involved and also for the  protection of our precious eco system has been carefully considered.

Ethical fashion philosophy can go further by adding ecological campaigning as part of the design content in order to evoke change,to make people aware of their own carbon foot print and persuade them to make changes to the purchase choices.

Below is the beginnings of a tote bag

Using block printing inks and a heavy     roller , inked lino previously cut  has been used to embellish the front panel of the fabric. Developing eco conscious biodegradable  inks is my next development. I intend to  develop new inks for printing using traditional none chemical compounds.           


This had been printed using a hydrolic printing press.Printing onto fabric means you need to use more presser to press into the fabric.This lino print is for a tote bag to encourage people to use less single use plastics for carrying shopping.

Evaluation. The whale tail could be a big bigger to add a bit more impact and also I think I might remove the foreshortening on the whale fin on the left. The ‘our’could be changed as it standing out more from the other lettering. 

Developments

This drawing has been made into a lino cut, I have noticed Antarctica had the c in the wrong place, however some of the lettering could br improved more.Also since changing my tools the background has changed and become less vivid so this also needs re doing. Positives are the whale tail is much better than previous print.

Print in white onto indigo linen fabric.

Tote bag design made in Fashion department, needs trinkets and button adding.

Embroidery added via hand embroidery machine. Adding red onto R as an onomatopoeia phrase representing the feeling of empathy towards saving Antarctica, helping to prevent climate change and saving endangered species by reducing waste within our oceans.
Colourways and fabrics for Tote bags

Calico fabric for economic price bracket for tote bag.

Linen fabrics for medium to high price bracket tote bag.


Up cycled buttons for large tote bag with fastening.

Pom poms for detail on tote bag.




Tote bags i.e bags for life are also key to preventing pollution, plastic bags are killing all kinds of different marine life including wales and turtles, broken down plastics are being eaten by sea birds right down the food chain to micro organisms that fish and sea mammals eat. These plastics eventually end up on our dinner plates.
I will be developing a series of images for eco conscious calico tote bags to improve wastage processes. It is worth checking when you shop if the plastic bags you are paying for our bio degradable. Some small retail outlets are know using fully biodegradable plastic bags including my local garden centre Reg Taylor's Hill farm Nurseries in Normanton Southwell.


           Project Organic Fruit and Veg for Organic Dyes.

Southwell Community Allotment has been producing organic vegetables, fruits and flowers for many years. I have had the fortunate luck to have been given one on an annual rental at a very reasonable price. I will be growing produce on it and using  natures beautiful palette.Using food waste and plants to create natural dyes and inks. Colour varies depending on the weather and therefore using nettles, can be darker in colour or lighter depending on the season.

Project : Allotment needing a lot of de brambling.

wild raspberries need to be kept.

Local practice of covering ground is to prevent weeds growing ready for sowing

Indigo flowers have been used for centuries , I will be planting some next year in ready for harvest later in the year. Dried flowers can also be stored in jars for organic dyes and inks. I may have to use dried as my project proposal dead line is sooner than harvesting would be.The other line of inquiry would be to use local wild flowers and weeds like nettles which creates a lovely natural pale khaki/biscuit shade.Dyes from plants don't always give the same colours and can  also change depending on the weather for the season. Dyes from nettles can also change. Nature dye material can be dried and stored and used rather than using freshly cut. Barks, lynches, marigolds, hedgerow brambles and acorns can be used. Dahlias are also good for dying, the is a very big allotment that specializes in dahlias of which many over with will end up in compost.I may need to ask if I could have some that are wilted and no longer of use to make dyes and also to dry for further development.

                                  My Allotment
The images are of my allotment.I will be showing up dates on how my project of organic fruit and vegetables growing is getting on. The initial photos of my overgrown allotment and photos after a couple of hours of clearing .

Dried out weeds could be useful for dyes.

After cutting back weed a pond is found including local frog freddo, linning of pond may need mending. There is plenty of plastic sheeting on the ground that could be up cycled for this role. Rosehip bush could also be a good source of dye for printing inks.