How to Create a Plant Dye Bath

Below I’ve provided a video and recipe that shares the best practices I’ve found for creating a plant dye bath and coaxing the majority of pigment out of the plant stuff you have collected. This post will not get into how to go about dyeing your chosen fibers, rather, it’s sole focus is on the steps and supplies you will need to get your dye bath going.

I have been practicing with plant dyes for 3 years and I am no master. But, in this time, I’ve taken a deep dive and have tried my hand at an array of dye plants. Each plant has its own personality and nuances as to how it likes to be broken down in the dye pot. Plant dyes require tinkering, patience, and perfecting your own process. It is ripe with breakthroughs and, occasionally, what may seem like failures (opportunities to learn!). With that in mind, I intend for this to be a resource for beginners to natural dyeing and share general guidelines to working within this realm.

Video, Supplies, and Steps below . . .

Cotton bandana dipped in indigo and then a Madder Root dye bath, giving it a pink hue .

Photo by Diana Lake

The following video demonstrates the concepts and steps for creating a dye bath with the exemplar plant: Rubia Tinctorum, commonly known as Madder Root:

SUPPLIES:
* Use separate supplies for your dyeing, Do not reuse supplies for cooking in your kitchen*

• Plant material
  - The Madder Root was purchased from Botanical Colors

• Stainless Steel or Enamel Pots

  • I like to find these at thrift stores and look for ones that are about 12 qt. size, but size will depend on what you intend to dye

• Stirring Sticks or Spoons

• Kitchen Scale

• Thermometer

• Outdoor Stove + Fuel

  • I recommend doing your dyeing process outside if you have the space, as some plants can give of toxic fumes when broken down. (Ex: Toyon releases Cyanide) .

Extra Supplies I use for Madder Root:

• Mason Jar (or glass container)

• Kettle

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STEPS:

1) Weigh your plant material (may be whole pieces or powder form)

• Your plant weight will depend on how much fiber you want to dye. Depending on what plant you are using there will be a different ratio needed of plant weight : fiber weight.

• Madder Root ratio is 1 : 1

2) Add plant stuff to your pot and fill with water

• Leave enough room in the pot for fibers to displace the dye

3) Bring the bath to a boil

• Some plants, such as Madder Root, can shift color if boiled ( Madder Root is not recommended to boil as it can turn more of an orange color)

4) Let it simmer for 60 - 90 min

5) Cover and let the bath sit overnight

6) The next day, bring the bath to a simmer again for 60-90 min

7) You dye bath is ready to dip fibers in!

• You can strain plant material before dyeing or leave it in

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Resources:

Harvesting Color by Rebecca Burgess

• This book has an excellent selection of recipes from dye plants of North America. I especially love the care taken in illustrating where dye plants are native to, their history, and kind practices for foraging.

BotanicalColors.com

• They are an amazing company that provides a wealth of “HOW TO” information on their website as well as a great selection of raw materials