How to Dye Clothes Naturally

Dying fibers naturally is a great project. You can learn from the whole process of gathering plants to the final product of a brilliantly dyed shirt. It is possible to dye something yellow, green, red, orange, pink, brown and other colors. Natural dyes are a great way to add some vibrancy to an old, drab article of clothing you may have.

Things You'll Need

• Muslin, silk or wool
• Berries, nuts or flowers
• Vinegar
• Salt
• Large pot
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Gather blooming plants, mature nuts and ripe berries. Research what grows in your area, and gather items according to the colors you would like.

2. Chop one kind of plant, berry or nuts and place in a pot. Put twice as much water as you have plants. Bring the water to a boil, and then simmer for an hour. If you would like a stronger dye, let the mixture sit overnight. Do this with each kind of dye you are making.

3. Make a fixative mixture. This will help fix the dye and set it into the fabric. For berries, make a salt fixative containing 1/2 cup salt to eight cups cold water. For plants, make a vinegar solution with one part vinegar to four parts cold water. Add the fabric to the appropriate fixative and simmer for an hour.

4. Place the fabric in the dye bath. Simmer for one hour, or until the color you desire has been reached. Remember that the color will be lighter once the fabric has dried.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash any garments that you dye in cold water separately.

• Use light-colored fabrics.

• Some plant dyes may be toxic. Research with poison control before using anything that you don't know about.

• Use gloves when handling dyed fabrics.

References

• Pioneer Thinking: Making Natural Dyes from Plants