If you’re new to natural dyes, we want to welcome you! Natural dyeing is one of the most exciting crafts you can take on. Change the color of your favorite t-shirt or evolve a well-worn dress! Learn about how color sticks to a textile in easy to understand terms and recipes.
Natural dyes, like paint, are a medium. Renewable, non-toxic and medicinal, natural dyes connect us to our ancient past when we lived more harmoniously with the natural world. They are derived from plant matter, minerals and metals and can be simply processed to create a rainbow of color.
Natural dyes can be applied to textiles, paper and even wood bases, and can also be used to create ink.
“I love the color of natural dyes. I love the surprise of working with them. I love that they’re from nature. I love that they can be both simple and complex. They’re very accessible. And they’re very mysterious.”
Kathy Hattori, Botanical Colors Founder and President
For the beginner dyer, natural dyes come in three main forms: The raw “dyestuff” (flowers and plants you can find in nature all around you), a powdered extract (a highly concentrated form derived from whole dyestuffs), or in a liquid form (also highly concentrated from whole dyestuffs).
At Botanical Colors, we are here to take you through the journey of de-mystifying the alchemical process that can feel intimidating!
Getting started with natural dyes is very easy! We recommend starting by pre-treating your fabric to be able to take the dye. This step can feel scary but with a little practice, will set you up for natural dyeing in no time. We call this “scouring” and “mordanting” your fabric.
Shop the new Botanical Colors Natural Dye Kit here!
Jump in!
Here are some great (and easy) projects you might want to start with:
Want to learn more?
Once you learn the basics of natural dyes, it is easy to start making them your own. Play with the proportions of the dyes, the textiles you dye, even the plants you use as dyes. Get better at natural dyeing at your own speed and remember, this is not something you are being graded on!
We have so many resources for you as you continue your journey into natural dyes. Read through our how tos and shop our Beginner’s Dye Kit here.
For the history buffs
We talk with many people who come into natural dyes from many different entry points. One is that they love learning about the history of color. Natural dyes have been used around the world for thousands of years.
Natural dyes, like wine, have a terroir. They locate us to place, and our heritage. Colors grown all over the world have their own very special attributes.
Many cultures have a long history of dyeing textiles with their local plants and other natural materials. For example, 6,000-year-old cotton dyed with indigo has been found in what is now Peru and clothing from the Iron Age dyed with multiple colors and woven into a plaid pattern was found in what is now Denmark. Natural dyes are considered symbolic and significant to different people and groups all over the world.
