|
 Plant Dyes: Under Dr. B–hmer direction, DOBAG weavers ceased to buy petroleum-based dyes and began collecting certain plant sources for dyeing the wool. Red, for example, can be obtained from a weed called madder (Rubia tinctorium). Ancient Egyptian textiles are the first known use of madder, which was once the most important dye plant in Turkey, and the world.
Madder weeds grow wild in cotton fields. Local farmers are delighted to have DOBAG villagers weed their cotton for them and cart off 10 tons of madder each summer. Not all natural dyes yield firm colors however. Onion skins, for example, produce a beautiful yellow which unfortunately fades all too quickly. Therefore it is important to have a scientific base from which to choose the plants for the dyes.
|
Wool: Only the best winter wool is used for the rugs; shorn from live sheep as opposed to carcasses. The wool is hand-carded and hand-spun. This enhances the attachment of the dye to the wool by allowing greater access between the individual wool fibers. Wool from 10 sheep is required to weave one square yard of rug. Different yarn is spun for the warp, weft, and pile.