Subtractivevärit

Subtractivevärit is a subset of textile coloring techniques that originated in Finland in the 19th century. The term "subtractivevärit" literally means "subtractive colors" in Finnish, and it refers to the process of dyeing yarns or fabrics multiple times to achieve complex color effects.

In traditional subtractivevärit, a specific type of yarn is dyed multiple times with a combination of plant-based dyes to remove or discard what nature has already formed by freezing the juices, stems, and roots of various plants to create the desirable colors and effects. This method allows for the creation of nuanced and unique colors that were previously unattainable.

The process begins with the selection of raw materials, including plants, which are specifically harvested and prepared for dyeing. The plants are then boiled or frozen, allowing the natural pigments to extract from the plant fibers or parts to create the desired color effects. The extracted pigments are then mixed with water, creating the dye bath. Yarns or fabrics are submerged in the dye bath, and through a series of microwaves or gentle heat, the fabric is gradually evenly covered in a multitude of nuanced colors.

Subtractivevärit is often associated with traditional Finnish folk art and handicrafts, particularly in the provinces of Savo and Satakunta. While this technique is no longer widely practiced due to the introduction of synthetic dyes and mass production methods, many Finnish textile artists are revitalizing this traditional method to create unique and meaningful work. The once vanishing art of subtractivevärit demonstrates a unions between old and modern textile practices and provides not only an standard outcome but a change in precedence with nature raising this abandoned over shifting techniques.