IMG_8949.jpg

Natural Dyes

AvocadoThe pits can make pink, tan, peach and terracotta colors.

Avocado

The pits can make pink, tan, peach and terracotta colors.

LacThe lac dye comes from a resin emitted from the lac insect, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia.

Lac

The lac dye comes from a resin emitted from the lac insect, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia.

RaspberryThe berry of the raspberry plant yields a blush pink color. Raspberries have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which can soothe the skin.

Raspberry

The berry of the raspberry plant yields a blush pink color. Raspberries have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which can soothe the skin.

QuebrachoThe quebracho dye comes from a tree indigenous to South America. The heartwood and bark are used to make the dye.

Quebracho

The quebracho dye comes from a tree indigenous to South America. The heartwood and bark are used to make the dye.

PeachThe pits can make “peachy” pinks and tans.

Peach

The pits can make “peachy” pinks and tans.

SandalwoodThe sandalwood dye comes from the heartwood of a tree which grows in Southern India and the Philippines.

Sandalwood

The sandalwood dye comes from the heartwood of a tree which grows in Southern India and the Philippines.

CochinealCochineal dye can yield pink, red and purple. The dye comes from the shells of the Cochineal beetle that feast on Prickly Pear cactus.

Cochineal

Cochineal dye can yield pink, red and purple. The dye comes from the shells of the Cochineal beetle that feast on Prickly Pear cactus.

HibiscusThe flower of this plant yields a pinks and reds. Hibiscus is beneficial for the skin and hair and when taken as a tea has many internal health benefits.

Hibiscus

The flower of this plant yields a pinks and reds. Hibiscus is beneficial for the skin and hair and when taken as a tea has many internal health benefits.

Madder.Madder is a root that grows easily in many conditions. It can yield pinks to a deep, earthy red color.

Madder.

Madder is a root that grows easily in many conditions. It can yield pinks to a deep, earthy red color.

Sulphur CosmosThis yellow flower can create a vibrant orange-red.

Sulphur Cosmos

This yellow flower can create a vibrant orange-red.

CoreopsisThis yellow and red flower creates burnt orange and terracotta colors.

Coreopsis

This yellow and red flower creates burnt orange and terracotta colors.

AchioteAlso called Annnato when used as a food coloring and known as Urucum in Brazil. It is the bright red seed of the plant which yields an orange or peach color.

Achiote

Also called Annnato when used as a food coloring and known as Urucum in Brazil. It is the bright red seed of the plant which yields an orange or peach color.

Red Onion SkinsThe skin of a red onion can create a whole spectrum of color from chartreuse to army greens, lavender to rust.

Red Onion Skins

The skin of a red onion can create a whole spectrum of color from chartreuse to army greens, lavender to rust.

CutchCutch dye comes from the heartwood of the cutch tree, native to Asia.

Cutch

Cutch dye comes from the heartwood of the cutch tree, native to Asia.

Yellow Onion SkinsThe skins of a yellow onion make varying shades of yellow and gold.

Yellow Onion Skins

The skins of a yellow onion make varying shades of yellow and gold.

MarigoldThe petals of the marigold flower yield a range of sunny colors from butter yellow to deep orange.

Marigold

The petals of the marigold flower yield a range of sunny colors from butter yellow to deep orange.

Dyer’s ChamomileThis cheery yellow flower creates bright yellows to mustard yellows.

Dyer’s Chamomile

This cheery yellow flower creates bright yellows to mustard yellows.

TurmericThe root, both fresh and in powder form, make a vibrant yellow dye. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as an internal and external medicinal preparation..

Turmeric

The root, both fresh and in powder form, make a vibrant yellow dye. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as an internal and external medicinal preparation..

OsageOsage dye comes from the heartwood of the Osage Orange tree. It is a lightfast sunny yellow dye.

Osage

Osage dye comes from the heartwood of the Osage Orange tree. It is a lightfast sunny yellow dye.

GoldenrodGoldenrod flowers make a bright yellow that is wash fast and light fast on textiles. It grows abundantly in the NE US during the late summer and fall.

Goldenrod

Goldenrod flowers make a bright yellow that is wash fast and light fast on textiles. It grows abundantly in the NE US during the late summer and fall.

CalendulaThe flowers can be used to make a yellow dye. It has been used medicinally for hundreds of years for its many properties which soothe the skin and accelerate healing.

Calendula

The flowers can be used to make a yellow dye. It has been used medicinally for hundreds of years for its many properties which soothe the skin and accelerate healing.

FennelFennel tops can make sunny yellows

Fennel

Fennel tops can make sunny yellows

PomegranatePomegranate skins will yield gold tones to earthy army greens. It can also be used as a mordant.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate skins will yield gold tones to earthy army greens. It can also be used as a mordant.

WeldThe leaves and tiny flowers of Weld make yellow to chartreuse colors.

Weld

The leaves and tiny flowers of Weld make yellow to chartreuse colors.

SageSage leaves create an electric green color or a light yellow-green depending on the fabric.

Sage

Sage leaves create an electric green color or a light yellow-green depending on the fabric.

RosemaryThe leaves of the rosemary plant can be used to make a yellow green dye. When iron is added as a modifier, you can achieve a grayish, sage green color.

Rosemary

The leaves of the rosemary plant can be used to make a yellow green dye. When iron is added as a modifier, you can achieve a grayish, sage green color.

Fresh IndigoFresh Indigo leaf mixed with cold water and ice will yield a beautiful seafoam green/blue color.

Fresh Indigo

Fresh Indigo leaf mixed with cold water and ice will yield a beautiful seafoam green/blue color.

ChlorophyllChlorphyll can create seafoam greens to army greens.

Chlorophyll

Chlorphyll can create seafoam greens to army greens.

WoadLess potent cousin of indigo. Can produce blues and greens.

Woad

Less potent cousin of indigo. Can produce blues and greens.

IndigoIndigo dye comes from the leaf of the Indigo plant. It is unique from all other natural dyes for its color and the process by which the dye is prepared.

Indigo

Indigo dye comes from the leaf of the Indigo plant. It is unique from all other natural dyes for its color and the process by which the dye is prepared.

Black beansThe soaking water of dried black beans can make blues, purples and grays.

Black beans

The soaking water of dried black beans can make blues, purples and grays.

Butterfly PeaThis flower, sourced from Asia, yields periwinkle and blue. With added acid such as lemon, it will turn purple.

Butterfly Pea

This flower, sourced from Asia, yields periwinkle and blue. With added acid such as lemon, it will turn purple.

Red CabbageThe leaves of the red cabbage plant can make periwinkle, lavender and icy blue colors.

Red Cabbage

The leaves of the red cabbage plant can make periwinkle, lavender and icy blue colors.

LogwoodLogwood dye comes from the heartwood of the tropical Logwood Tree. It yields many shades of purple, from lilac to a deep plum.

Logwood

Logwood dye comes from the heartwood of the tropical Logwood Tree. It yields many shades of purple, from lilac to a deep plum.

BlackberryThe berry of the blackberry bush yields pinks and purples.

Blackberry

The berry of the blackberry bush yields pinks and purples.