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Dye Fabrics Using Natural Materials

Prepare your fabric

Before you start the dyeing process, you’ll want to get your fabric ready. First, wash the fabric. Don’t dry it though – it needs to be wet. Then prepare your fixative or “mordant.” This is to help the fabric take up the dye more easily. For berries you’ll want to use salt and for any other plant material, you’ll want to use vinegar. Here are the measurements:

Salt: dissolve ½ cup salt in 8 cups cold water

Vinegar: blend 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts cold water

Place your damp fabric in the fixative solution for an hour. Rinse with cool water when done. Then, it’s time to dye the fabric.

The dyeing process

Before you start, cover the surface of your work area with newspaper. I use plastic sheeting too, because I don’t want to dye my counter tops. Be sure to wear gloves so you only color the fabric, not your hands. Then, prepare your dye.

Place the plant material in a large non-reactive pot (like stainless steel or glass). Remember the dye could stain some pots and spoons, so use these only for dyeing.

Fill pot with twice as much water as plant material.

Simmer for an hour or so, until you get a nice dark color.

Strain out the plant material and return the liquid to the pot.

Carefully place the fabric in the dye bath and bring to a slow boil. Simmer for an hour or so, stirring once in a while.

Check your fabric. Remember, it will be lighter when it dries. An hour should produce nice color, but darker hues can be achieved by allowing to sit longer, even overnight. Turn the pot off after an hour and allow fabric to sit in the warm water as long as needed.

When you get the color you want, take the fabric out and wash in cold water. Expect the color to run some as the excess dye is washed out

Dry as usual.

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[fabrican]

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[fabrican]

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