Natural dyeing
What is natural dye?
Natural dyeing is the process of using plants, spices, elements (rocks and minerals), fruit and vegetables to dye natural fibreA single hair-like strand that comes from a natural source. Natural fibres are either plant, eg cotton, or animal, eg wool, in origin. . Different mordantA chemical that fixes dye to fibres can be used to create different hues and to fix the colours.
Tools and equipment
- Dye bath - jug, bowl or dish for dyes. These are metal or glass as dyes can stain some plastic containers.
- Saucepans - to remove the dye you need to boil the fruit, vegetable, plant in water.
- Kettle - to boil water.
- Heat source (stove/hob).
- Mixing spoon - to mix dyes. Metal is better as dyes can stain wood or plastic.
- Measuring jug - to measure out water and dye.
- Measuring scales - to measure out dye, mordant, material to be dyed.
- Tongs - to handle material to be dyed.
- Drying rack
- Protective clothing.
Step-by-step guide
- Boil the fruit, vegetables or plants etc in water to remove the dye. Strain and discard the boiled fruit, vegetables or plants. Pour the dye in a dye bath and mix with the mordant.
- Wash fibres, yarns, fabrics or material to be dyed, to ensure it is clean and to remove any impurities which could affect the dyeing process.
- Dip the material into the dye bath. Stir to ensure that all the material is evenly covered.
- Leave to soak for the desired time.
- Remove the material from the dye bath.
- Leave to dry.
You can use natural dyes with the tie-dye and batik techniques detailed above to create different effects.