How to Dye With Canadian Hemlock

Hemlock bark produces a brown-red dye for natural cloth.

Canadian hemlock is an evergreen tree native to northern North America. It prefers swampy, moist areas and sprouts soft green needles and tiny, red cones during the growing season. Though hemlock gets a bad reputation for being poisonous, Canadian hemlock bark and sap are used as additives in commercial items like ice cream and gum. The bark also produces a red-brown dye that may add color to some food products. You also can use the bark to dye clothing at home.

Things You'll Need

• Canadian hemlock bark, fresh
• Large stew pot
• Vinegar
• Natural fabric: wool, linen, silk, cotton, muslin
• Clothing iron

Instructions

1. Break up about 3 cups of fresh Canadian hemlock bark and add it to a large stew pot. Cover the bark with 1 quart each of water and vinegar. The vinegar will help intensify the color of the dye.

2. Simmer the bark over medium heat until the dye is very dark red or brown. The dye will look almost black when it's ready.

3. Immerse your cloth in the dye and continue to simmer the mixture for about an hour. Lift your cloth from the dye vat. It should be about three shades darker than your desired color. If not, simmer it 10 minutes at a time until it is.

4. Rinse the fabric in cool water until the water runs clear. This prevents the fabric from lightening when you wash it. Allow the fabric to air-dry.

5. Iron your fabric on the proper fabric setting (cotton, muslin) without steam. This helps set the dye.

Tips & Warnings

• Hand wash plant-dyed fabrics in cold water.

• Never ingest parts of Canadian hemlock unless you can absolutely verify its identity. Avoid ingesting the needles.

References

• Plants for a Future: Tsuga Canadensis
• Crescent Bloom: Tsuga Canadensis