Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
matter for a more saturated color, or a little more water for a lighter color. Bring to a boil, then sim-
mer for an hour. That's it. The water you strain out of the pot will be your dye bath, and you can
submerge anything in it you'd like to color. Or, you can use it in your crayon and soap making.
It will help to premordant the fabric—that is, treat the fibers with a solution that will prepare it
to hold color longer and more vibrantly. Vinegar is good for most dyes, though salt works well for
berries.
Butternut seed husks, juniper berries, dandelion roots, goldenrod, and carrot roots are just some of
the plants that will yield shades of orange and brown. Berries and certain iris blossoms can create
purples and pinks, and you should be able to get a lovely red out of roses and hibiscus. Roots and
walnuts will make black. And if you have ever boiled or steamed artichokes you know that they
create green, as does nettle and chamomile. (You may be thinking of using beets for their red color,
but they won't bond to fibers well and can stain the skin.)
Of course, plant-based dyes are not guaranteed to look the same every time. A lot depends on the
quality and quantity of the plant, what you are dyeing, and any additives that you combine with it.
There will be variants, but that is what makes it beautiful.
