How to Dye Material Naturally

The easiest material to dye is wool, but cotton, linen and silk can also be dyed.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mordant
• Old Towels
• Plant Materials
• Wool
• Cream Of Tartar
• Water
• Cotton
• Latex Gloves
• Old Wooden Spoons
• Oven
• Scissors
• Stainless Steel Or Enamel Cooking Pots
• Alum
• Cotton Strings

1. Boil 1 gal. water for each pound of material.

2. Dissolve 4 oz. alum and 1 oz. cream of tartar in boiled water.

3. Heat 3 gal. water in a separate pot.

4. Pour the 1 gal. water-mordant mixture into it.

5. Set aside to cool.

6. Loosely tie strands of wool yarn together with cotton string.

7. Wash wool or other material in mild soap and lukewarm water to remove chemicals, oil or dirt.

8. Rinse in lukewarm water.

9. Wring out and roll in a towel to remove excess moisture.

10. Place material into lukewarm mordant bath.

11. Slowly heat. Be careful that the bath does not reach the boiling point.

12. Lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring gently occasionally, for an hour.

13. Let cool and remove the material, or let it soak overnight.

14. Remove excess water from the material by rolling it in an old towel.

15. Place damp material into your lukewarm dye bath, or dry it in a shady spot and store for later dyeing.

Tips & Warnings

• Dyeing is complete when the material takes on a darker shade of color than you desire. Colors lighten as they dry.