How to Make Natural Dyes

Ever wonder where colors came from before factories? For centuries, people used nature to color their clothes, crafts, and even food. It's called natural dyeing! This guide will show you how to make natural dyes at home. Think bright yellows, deep reds, earthy browns, and cool blues. The possibilities? Endless! Get ready for a fun, earth-friendly way to add color to everything!

Why Use Natural Dyes?

Why pick these old-school dyes over the stuff you buy in stores? Here's the lowdown:

• It's good for the planet! Natural dyeing is eco-friendly. It uses less of those oil-based chemicals and is easier on the Earth.
• Colors that are one-of-a-kind! Natural dyes give you colors you can't find anywhere else. They're deep, rich, and just plain beautiful.
• Better for you! Store-bought dyes can have nasty chemicals that irritate your skin and pollute water. Natural dyes are usually safer.
• It's fun and creative! Gathering plants, prepping them, and dyeing? It’s super satisfying. You get to connect with nature and show off your artistic side.

Getting Started: What You Need

Ready to dive in? You'll need a few things to get started:

Supplies You'll Need:

• Dye stuff: This is where the fun really begins! Get plants, flowers, tree bark, and other natural goodies. More on that later.
• Fabric: Go for cotton, linen, silk, or wool. Natural stuff works best with natural dyes.
• Mordant: Sounds fancy, but it just helps the dye stick to the fabric. Alum, iron, and tannin are common choices.
• Pots: Stainless steel or enamel pots are the way to go. Skip aluminum or copper – they can mess with the colors. Keep these pots just for dyeing.
• Scale: You'll need this to measure stuff, especially the mordants and dyes.
• Gloves: Keep your hands clean!
• Apron: Protect your clothes from splashes.
• Strainer: For getting the plant bits out of the dye.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For getting amounts just right.
• Heat Source: A stove, hot plate, or even the sun can work.
• Water: Clean water is key!

Get Your Fabric Ready!

Getting your fabric ready is key for getting the best color:

1. Scouring: This means washing your fabric really well. Get rid of anything that might stop the dye from sticking. Use hot water and a gentle soap. Rinse like crazy.
2. Mordanting: This is the most important part! It helps the color stay put. What you use depends on the fabric and dye. Alum is great for most plant dyes and cotton or linen. Iron can make colors darker, but be careful – it can weaken the fabric. Tannin is used before alum sometimes.

Alum Mordanting:

1. Weigh your fabric.
2. Mix alum with hot water (about 15-20% of the fabric's weight). So, if you have 100 grams of fabric, use 15-20 grams of alum.
3. Put the fabric in the alum water and let it simmer for 1-2 hours. Stir it now and then.
4. Let it cool down in the water.
5. Rinse the fabric well.

Iron Mordanting: (Go easy! It can hurt your fabric)

1. Mix iron with hot water (about 1-3% of the fabric's weight).
2. Put the fabric in the iron water and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Stir sometimes.
3. Let it cool down in the water.
4. Rinse the fabric well.

Tannin Mordanting: (Good to use before alum for cotton or linen)

1. Mix tannin with hot water (about 5-10% of the fabric's weight).
2. Put the fabric in the tannin water and simmer for 1-2 hours. Stir now and then.
3. Let it cool down in the water.
4. Rinse the fabric well.
5. Then, use alum.

What Can You Use to Make Dye?

So many things can make dye! Here are some ideas for plant based dyes:

• Flowers: Marigolds, sunflowers, zinnias
• Leaves: Spinach, eucalyptus, walnut leaves
• Berries: Blackberries, elderberries, blueberries
• Roots: Madder root, turmeric root, beets
• Bark: Oak bark, birch bark
• Other: Onion skins, coffee grounds, avocado pits

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Be nice to nature! Only take plants from places where there are lots of them. Always ask before taking plants from someone's yard.
• Some plants are poisonous! Do your homework before you use a plant. Wear gloves when handling them.
• Timing matters! Plants make stronger colors at certain times of the year.

Easy Dye Recipes: Let's Get Started!

Time to try some natural dye recipes!

Recipe 1: Marigold Yellow

Marigolds are easy to grow and make a sunny yellow.

1. Get Marigolds: Grab a bunch!
2. Make the Dye Bath: Fill a pot with water and add the flowers. Use about twice as much water as flowers.
3. Simmer: Heat the water until it simmers (not boiling). Let it go for 1-2 hours, until the water is a deep yellow.
4. Strain: Pour the water through a strainer to get rid of the plant stuff.
5. Add Fabric: Put your fabric in the dye. Make sure it's all covered.
6. Dye: Simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring now and then.
7. Cool and Rinse: Turn off the heat and let it cool down. Then, rinse with cold water until the water is clear.
8. Dry: Hang it up in the shade. Sun can fade the colors.

Recipe 2: Onion Skin Brown

Onion skins are cheap and easy, and they make a pretty brown.

1. Get Onion Skins: Save the skins from yellow or red onions. You'll need a lot!
2. Make the Dye Bath: Fill a pot with water and add the skins. Use about twice as much water as skins.
3. Simmer: Heat the water until it simmers. Let it go for 1-2 hours, until the water is a deep brown.
4. Strain: Pour the water through a strainer to get rid of the skins.
5. Add Fabric: Put your fabric in the dye. Make sure it's all covered.
6. Dye: Simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring now and then.
7. Cool and Rinse: Turn off the heat and let it cool down. Then, rinse with cold water until the water is clear.
8. Dry: Hang it up in the shade. Sun can fade the colors.

Recipe 3: Avocado Pit Pink

Yep, avocado pits can make pink! Cool, right?

1. Get Avocado Pits and Skins: Save them! Wash them well and let them dry.
2. Make the Dye Bath: Fill a pot with water and add the pits and skins. Use enough water to cover them.
3. Simmer: Heat the water until it simmers. Let it go for 1-2 hours, until the water is a reddish-brown. The color will change as it dyes.
4. Strain: Pour the water through a strainer to get rid of the pits and skins.
5. Add Fabric: Put your fabric in the dye. Make sure it's all covered.
6. Dye: Simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring now and then. The color will show up over time.
7. Cool and Rinse: Turn off the heat and let it cool down. Then, rinse with cold water until the water is clear.
8. Dry: Hang it up in the shade. Sun can fade the colors.

Tips for Making it Work

Here are some extra tips to help you get great results:

• Keep a Dye Diary: Write down everything you do! What dye you used, what mordant, how long you dyed it. It helps you learn!
• Try Different Stuff: Vinegar, baking soda, or iron water can change the colors. Experiment!
• Dye it Again: Not happy with the color? Dye it again with another color!
• Watch the pH: The pH (how acid or not acid something is) can change the color.
• Dry it Right: Always dry in the shade.
• Wash it Gently: Wash by hand in cold water with gentle soap.

Help! What If Something Goes Wrong?

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here's what to do:

• Uneven Color: Make sure your fabric is super clean and mordanted well. Stir it a lot while dyeing.
• Color Fades: Use the right mordant and keep it out of the sun.
• Color is Weak: Use more dye or dye it longer.
• Color Changes Weirdly: Don't use aluminum or copper pots. Watch the pH.

Go Have Fun!

Natural dyeing is fun and good for the planet. By learning how to make natural dyes, you can make beautiful things and be kind to the Earth. So, get your supplies and start dyeing! Have fun!