Sonoma County Mycological Association | Mushroom Dyes and Paper. SOMA's own Miriam C. Rice originally discovered in the 1970s that fungi could be used both for natural dyes and as substrate for making paper. These fungal art forms have now spread worldwide from their origins in nearby Mendocino County, and led to the creation of the International Mushroom Dye Institute. SOMA members Dorothy Beebee and Catherine Wesley now teach classes in dyes and papermaking at fungus fairs, SOMA Camp, and mushroom workshops. Yarn dyed from Phaeolus schweinitzii. Photo © Marlene Nordstrom.
Phaeolus schweinitzii. Mushroom dyes In the 1970s, Miriam discovered mushrooms contained pigments that could be used for natural dyes. The dye color obtained depends on both the species and the mordants used for fixing the dye. Dyer's puffball (Pisolithus tinctorius) Paxillus atrotomentosus Phaeolus schweinitzii Mordants are metallic salts commonly used by natural dyers to aid in the setting of a dye on fiber to make it lightfast and colorfast. Samples of paper made from mushrooms. Western Montana Mycological Association.
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