motfarging

Motfarging is a textile dyeing technique in which a secondary dye or pigment is applied to a fabric that has already been dyed or prepared, with the aim of producing a contrasting color effect. The term is used in Norwegian textile and dyeing contexts to describe processes that modify the overall appearance by introducing an opposing or complementary hue, rather than by printing a separate pattern.

The method can be implemented in several ways. One common approach is sequential dyeing, where the fabric is dyed again with a different color to shift the final shade or create two-tone areas. Another approach uses resist materials or masking to restrict where the second dye takes hold, generating patterns, gradients, or tonal depth. The choice of dyes, the order of dyeing, and the fiber type all influence the outcome, as do temperature, pH, and fixation steps.

Materials and dyes used for motfarging are selected for compatibility with the base fiber and the initial color. Natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or silk and synthetic fibers each respond differently to additional dyeing. Environmental and safety considerations, including washfastness and chemical interaction between dye lots, are important in industrial settings.

Applications of motfarging include fashion and interior textiles where color depth, subtle contrasts, or color-matching are desired without introducing a separate print. It can also be used to achieve camouflage effects or to restore or harmonize colors in damaged or aged fabrics. Related techniques include over-dyeing and resist dyeing.