How to Dye With Wild Cherry Bark
American Indians and pioneer settlers used items found in nature to create richly colored dyes in the days before synthetic pigments. Crafters and artisans still use natural dyes to obtain historically authentic shades or for the pleasure of keeping this old knowledge alive. Dye natural wool or cotton with wild cherry bark, which produces a muted orange shade.
Things You'll Need
- Cherry bark
- Water
- Alum or potassium bichromate (chrome)
- Cream of tartar
- Fabric or yarn
Instructions
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1
Chop the cherry bark into 2- to 3-inch pieces. You'll need about four quarts of bark pieces to dye one pound of fabric or yarn. Add the bark to four to five gallons of water and boil for one hour.
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2
Prepare the mordant, which helps the material to accept dye. Alum and chrome are two common mordants. Alum produces lighter colors; a chrome mordant results in darker, more intense colors. Mix 3 oz. alum or 1/2 oz. potassium bichromate with 1 oz. cream of tartar and 4 gallons of water. Heat until steam begins to rise from the pot but the solution is not boiling (about 160 degrees).
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3
Wet the material in warm water. Immerse the wet cloth in the mordant solution. Use a wooden spoon to push all the fabric or yarn beneath the water. The fabric shouldn't be crowded in the pot. Simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.
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4
Remove the fabric or yarn from the mordant solution and allow to drain. If you used a chrome mordant, rinse the material thoroughly.
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5
Strain the dye solution and discard the bark. Return the dye water to the pot .
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6
Immerse the wet material and simmer for one hour or until the fabric is the color you desire. Stir occasionally. Make sure the material is completed submersed and there's enough room in the pot for it to move freely, so all parts are exposed to the dye.
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7
Remove the fabric from the dye bath and rinse in hot water. Continue rinsing in progressively cooler water until the rinse water runs clear.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wash naturally dyed material separately in cold water.
Save your mordant bath to use again. Store it in sealed jars in a cool, dark place.
