Natural Dyeing: How to Make Natural Dyes from Plants and Other Materials

By Amanda Blake Soule With Stephen Soule
Published on September 13, 2011
1 / 2

These fabrics were naturally dyed with turmeric and tea bags.
These fabrics were naturally dyed with turmeric and tea bags.
2 / 2

Following the course of a year through the passing of the seasons,
Following the course of a year through the passing of the seasons, "The Rhythm of Family" explores the ways we can create deep family connections and meaningful memories through living in tune with the cycles of nature.

The following is an excerpt from “The Rhythm of Family” by Amanda Blake Soule with Stephen Soule.

Use Natural Dyes 

Dyeing fabric and fiber with materials found in the natural world is a family favorite and a wonderful project for all ages. There are endless possibilities for color when we use the earth’s palette as our guide. We’re often surprised by what color a certain material yields when added to fabric—quite often it is so different from the original source. That’s part of the fun, so keep an open mind about your end results, and experiment with whatever you have available in your own backyard!

Natural Materials for Dyeing 

Red—dandelion root, beets, rose hips, chokecherries, blackberries, hibiscus

Orange—sassafras, onion skin, carrot root, turmeric, pomegranate

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368