Art of Dyeing

Go to your local grocery store and purchase Alum in the spice section. Alum is used to prepare the fabric to accept the dye and make the colors more striking and long-lasting. Place about 1 tablespoon of Alum in 1 gallon of water and add the material that you want to dye. Bring the water/material to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes. Rinse the material in warm water and it’s ready to accept the dye.

 

To create a dye bath for two balls of wool yarn or three adult T-shirts, you will need maximum of about 1-3 gallons of raw material depending on how distinct the color of material is. The type of raw material that you select is endless, although for a beginner, we suggest that you start with a strong color such as wild mulberries or blueberries. If these aren’t available, look in the kitchen refrigerator for carrots. The tops and skins of carrots make an excellent dye.

 

Step 3. Simmer and Strain:
 

After you have collected the plant or fruit that you want to use as a dye, clean up the product from all bugs and dirt, wash them, chop them and put them in a large pot. Pour water in it and bring it to boil, then simmer, cover it for an hour or two. Weaker coloring products, such as tree leaves or onion skins can be left to soak overnight to draw out the color.

Take sample in a clear glass, to check desired color. Then strain out the plant and all other solid matter leaving the colored bath. Add the material or yarn, simmer the material in the colored bath for 30 minutes than rinse in a bath of cold water and vinegar mixture of 10 parts to 1 (e.g., 10 parts cold water to 1 part vinegar) before washing it with a natural soap and  hang to dry.