Experiments in Natural Fabric Dyeing

I’ve been playing around for the past few weeks with natural fabric dyes, as in: dyeing fabric with plant materials. The urge dropped into my head over the holidays, and so I went-a-searching online for ideas and recipes. I found this website (with a great video at the bottom) and this website and then got started messing around.

I also got inspired from some tie-dying tutorials I saw on YouTube and started trying to create designs by tying off parts of the fabric with string. I’ve mostly had success with using red and yellow onion skins—they create great, rich earthtones. I especially love the effects of red onion skin!

I’m looking forward to more blooming weather when I can start looking around for plants I can try for other colors, but so far it has been great fun and I would recommend it as top-notch textile play for anyone who has these sorts of leanings. Here are some pictures (although the photos don’t do the colors justice). I think they look especially vibrant with sun shining through.


9 Responses to “Experiments in Natural Fabric Dyeing”

  1. 1 Arlete January 27, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    Walnut shells and husks might be a good material. Next fall I can supply you with lots from Justin’s orchard. Let me know if you find any reference for making henna-like tattoo cream, but using walnut-shell dye.

  2. 2 Erica January 27, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    You should try red cabbage – it dyes things blue!

  3. 3 Kerri January 27, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    I’ve always wanted to try this! Do you know of India Flint? Google her and die of joy! Also there is an amazing textile artist who is very into this too. Her name is Lotta and her blog is http://www.inleaf.blogspot.com. So beautiful! Love these Nicole!

  4. 4 Kerri January 27, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    Oh I must add one thing, look at Lotta’s blog post from November 18, 2011. The pecan leaf prints are mind blowing! Her etsy shop is worth a look too.

  5. 5 Nicole | Blue Bicicletta January 30, 2012 at 9:21 am

    Oh, thanks Ladies for the encouragement, ideas, and links!

  6. 6 ristinw February 8, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    Interesting experiment!

  7. 7 Ruben February 20, 2013 at 6:56 am

    conations really good funny information too.

  8. 8 Candice April 18, 2013 at 3:50 am

    I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page layout of
    Maybe you could space it out better?

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