Natural Dyeing: How to Make Natural Dyes from Plants and Other Materials

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Following the course of a year through the passing of the seasons, "The Rhythm of Family" explores the ways we can create deep family connections and meaningful memories through living in tune with the cycles of nature. Image Courtesy Shambhala Publications

The following is an excerpt from "The Rhythm of Family" by Amanda Blake Soule with Stephen Soule.

Use Natural Dyes 

Dyeing fabric and fiber with materials found in the natural world is a family favorite and a wonderful project for all ages. There are endless possibilities for color when we use the earth’s palette as our guide. We’re often surprised by what color a certain material yields when added to fabric—quite often it is so different from the original source. That’s part of the fun, so keep an open mind about your end results, and experiment with whatever you have available in your own backyard!

Natural Materials for Dyeing 

Red—dandelion root, beets, rose hips, chokecherries, blackberries, hibiscus

Orange—sassafras, onion skin, carrot root, turmeric, pomegranate

Yellow—marigold, burdock, celery leaves, tea, dandelions, sunflowers

Green—spinach leaves, nettle, red onion, yarrow, foxglove, sorrel

Blue/purple—mulberries, red cabbage, hyacinth, maple tree bark

Brown—oat bark, juniper berries, tea bags, birch bark, walnut hulls

Crafting Notes 

If you are dyeing yarn, open it up into a large circle while keeping it wound in its skein. Tie it loosely at several points to hold it in its skein while going through the dye process.

These instructions will work well for things that aren’t washed often—play silks, scarves, yarn for knitting, and other playthings. If you are hoping for the color to stay through many washes, consider using synthrapol as a prewash, as well as a postwash to help set the fabric a little more thoroughly.

The photographed projects are dyed with turmeric and tea bags.

What You’ll Need 

Vegetables, plants, or herbs for dyeing material
A large stockpot (I use an extra-large canning pot; 2 pots is ideal)
White vinegar
Blank fabric or undyed fiber (cotton, wool, and silk will work best; polyester is trickier to dye)
Mesh strainer