How to Naturally Dye Fabric with Plant Extracts
Dyeing With Extracts
Supplies Needed:
*Do not use any utensils you use for cooking food; all things need to be dedicated to dyeing only)
-Dye pot
-mixing bowl
-stirring utensil
-kitchen scale
-dye extract
-water
-stovetop
Instructions:
- Weigh your fabric dry & record it (I use Grams)
- Wet out your fabric; soak fabric that has been scoured & mordanted in water for 2 hours (I like to soak mine overnight)
- Look at the specific extracts instructions for how much WOF(weight of fabric) % to use (for example; fabric weighs 450 grams & using mulberry extract at 10% WOF you times 450x.10 =45 grams of extract)
- Fill dye pot with warm water
- Weigh out grams needed of extract
- Dissolve extract completely in warm water ( make sure no clumps)
- Add dye to dye pot of water & mix well
- Add wetted out fabric to the dye pot
- Stir for 2-3 minutes after putting in to allow even dye uptake
- Turn on the heat to medium
- Bring heat up to 180-200F (for linen & Cotton) & hold there for at least an hour (can vary for diff dyes but general rule is for about an hour)
- **stir pot every 15 minutes**
- Let cool down
- Rinse in lukewarm water with synthrapol soap
- Rinse until water turns clear
- Let dry & yay your fabric has been dyed with lovely all natural plant dyes <3
For a YouTube video showing & explaining this process in more depth follow this link;
https://youtu.be/u19UjYsX3Jk?si=V2hriQvulUNVb0-v
For videos showing & explaining scouring, mordanting & other natural dye methods check out my YouTube page: @Sownoftheearth
My favorite source of getting dye extracts & mordant is from shepherds textiles;
https://shepherdtextiles.com
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