Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Natural Dyeing Materials and Resources.
This is a treasure trove for natural dyeing enthusiasts.
I’ve provided sources for natural dyes, an equipment list, memberships and workshops, books, and websites to help you enjoy the craft and improve your skills.
Dyeing with natural materials is an ancient art form offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes.
From the deep blues of indigo to the vibrant yellows of turmeric, natural dyes color our fibers but also connect us with the natural world and the rich traditions of artisans from around the globe.
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What is natural dye?
Natural dye refers to a type of dye derived from natural sources without the use of synthetic chemicals.
These sources include plants (leaves, roots, fruits, and flowers), minerals, and even certain insects.
Natural dyes have been used for thousands of years to color fabric, leather, and other materials, long before the invention of synthetic dyes in the mid-19th century.
Obtaining colors from natural sources often involves harvesting the raw materials, preparing them through processes such as drying, crushing, or boiling, and then using them to dye materials in a way that is often more environmentally friendly and sustainable than using synthetic dyes.
The colors produced by natural dyes can range widely, from subtle, earthy tones to vibrant hues, depending on the source material and the dyeing techniques used.
Natural dyes are valued not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their lower environmental impact. They are biodegradable and can be produced with minimal pollution.
The resurgence of interest in natural dyes in recent years is part of a broader movement towards sustainability and eco-consciousness in the fashion and textile industries, as well as in arts and crafts communities.
People are drawn to natural dyes for their unique qualities, the connection to nature and tradition they offer, and the opportunity to reduce the environmental footprint of their creations.
Check out our other posts on natural dyeing:
How to Make Beautiful Natural Colors: Natural Dyeing
Dye Yielding Plants List for the Natural Dyer
Natural Dyeing Glossary: Terminology for Natural Dyers
Where to buy natural dye: natural dyeing resources
Here are the suppliers I have used and like for natural dyeing tools and materials.
The Woolery – The Woolery carries a wide range of natural dyes, mordants, seeds, dye kits, and accessories.
Their natural dye starter kit is perfect for trying a variety of colors.
Maiwa Natural Dyes – Natural dye powders, dyeing equipment, and supplies. Based in Canada.
Botanical Colors – Natural dye concentrates, natural dye plant seeds.
George Weil – Natural dye materials, fibers, mordants, and more. Based in the UK.
Aurora Silk – Silk fiber and silk fiber dyes.
Wild Colours – Natural dye plant seeds, natural dye concentrates, and powders. Based in the UK.
Earthhues – Natural dyes.
Natural dyeing equipment and materials
It is a good idea to use separate equipment for dyeing and cooking. I label all my dye equipment clearly. Natural dye may be “natural,” but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to ingest.
Here is the list of dye equipment and materials I use. These are the basics; you can add or eliminate the ones that work best for your projects.
Equipment
Stainless steel pots
Stainless steel pots won’t react with mordants or dyes, making them the best type of pot to use. Other metals alter dye color slightly, adding unnecessary complexity and unpredictability to a dye project.
Having multiple sizes of dye pots is helpful. Depending on the amount of materials you are working with, you will sometimes need a small pot or a 5-gallon pot.
5-gallon stainless steel pot
8-quart stainless steel pot
Stainless steel stirring spoon
Consistent stirring is important if you want even dye colors. Having a stainless steel stirring spoon with a long handle makes this easy and safe.
Long-handled wooden spoon
Often, dye pots are deep, and having a long-handled spoon helps avoid getting burned by getting too close to the dye bath.
A wooden spoon can be an alternative to a stainless steel spoon or an additional tool. I like having both available.
Plastic bucket
It’s handy to have a bucket to fill with dye materials, an excess dye bath, or water to wash fiber materials.
Plastic bins
Useful for cold (cool) water dye baths, iron washes, and other cold-water dyeing processes.
Glass bowl
These come in handy when washing fiber materials, prepping a mordant, and at other stages in the natural dyeing process.
Measuring cups and spoons
Have a set of measuring cups and spoons for adding mordants, dye powders, and other elements to your dye baths. These are definitely kept separate from your cooking set.
Electric scale
Use a scale to weigh out fiber, mordants and dyes, and natural dye materials.
Drying rack
An indoor option for drying freshly dyed materials.
Clothesline
A clothesline is a great way to air dry your dyed materials outside. You can even string it up in a room if you don’t have outside access.
Rubber gloves
Use rubber gloves to protect your skin from mordants and from becoming discolored by dye baths.
Dust mask
Wear this whenever you are working with dye powders, mordants, or working with a mordant bath.
Materials to have for natural dyeing
Alum (potassium aluminum sulfate)
This is a metal salt that is used on fibers to assist in binding the natural dye to the surface of the fiber. It is a mordant.
Cream of tartar
Used as an assistant, typically with alum, to help it bind the alum to the surface of the fibers for clearer, longer-lasting color.
Iron
Iron can be used as a mordant or in combination with other mordanting materials (as an additive).
Previously dyed material can also be dipped in a water and iron bath. This will mute or sadden the colors. This is best when applied to cellulose fibers, but it can be used lightly on protein fiber (otherwise, they become brittle).
To make your own iron water for your dye bath or for a dip bath visit Mother Earth News for a tutorial on the process.
Soybeans/soy milk
Soybeans are a natural source of mordant. To make your own soy milk, see Rebecca Desnos’s book Botanical Colour At Your Fingertips.
Fibers, yarns, and fabric
Good sources of yardage and dry goods:
Susan’s Fiber – Fiber and yarn and other fiber art tools and supplies.
Dharma Trading – Fiber, yarn, fabric, synthetic and natural dyes, and more.
Natural dyeing booklist
The Modern Natural Dyer
By: Kristine Vejar
This is my favorite natural dye book. The instructions lay a simple and step-by-step process for natural dyeing.
You’ll find plenty of project suggestions to get you started.
Harvesting Color
By: Rebecca Burgess
Harvesting Color is a comprehensive source on how to gather and prepare your dye materials from your garden or nature.
The Complete Guide to Natural Dyeing
By: Eva Lambert and Tracy Kendall
Detailed instructions fro extracting color from plants, lichens, and minerals for natural dyeing.
The Wild Dyer
By: Abigail Booth
A great resource for dyers who enjoy sourcing their own dye materials. The book is broken down into “environments”.
You’ll learn what natural dyes you can find in the kitchen, grow in your garden, or forage for in the wild.
Natural Dyeing
By: Jackie Crook
Natural Dyeing covers a wide range of techniques for extracting color from plants, roots, and natural materials. This is a great book for beginners and experienced dyers.
The Natural Colors Cookbook
By: Maggie Pate
Maggie Pate’s unique approach to natural dyeing uses common kitchen ingredients to get a wide range of colors.
Colours from Nature
By: Jenny Dean
This is a comprehensive guide to natural dyeing with detailed instructions.
Botanical Colour at Your Fingertips
By: Rebecca Desnos
Rebecca Desnos focuses on making natural dyeing simple and accessible.
A Garden to Dye For
By: Chris McLaughlin
If you want to grow your own dyestuffs, this is the book for you.
Natural Color: Vibrant Plant Dye Projects for Your Home and Wardrobe
By: Sasha Duerr
A project-focused natural dye book gives detailed instructions on applying natural dye principles to your clothes and decorative objects.
A Dyer’s Garden: From Plant to Pot, Growing Dyes for Natural Fibers
By: Rita Buchanan
Rita Buchanan takes you on the full dyer’s journey – from planting seeds to finishing your dye project. This is the ultimate DIY process.
Wild Color
By: Jenny Dean & Karen Diadick Casselman
If you want a vast list of dye materials to choose from, this is your book.
Deam and Casselman show the colors that can be achieved with each part of a plant – roots, bark, berries, or leaves.
Wild Color also introduces what you can do with color as you adjust the acid or alkaline (ph) of the dye pot.
Natural dyeing websites
These are my go-to natural dyeing websites:
All Natural Dyeing – Natural dyeing information and how-to tutorials.
Wearing Woad – Dyeing tutorials and project journal.
Maiwa – Natural dye store and resource site for natural dyeing tutorials and more.
Botanical Colors – Detailed instructions on natural dyeing.
Natural dye Facebook Groups
If you want to connect with other dyers and compare notes, ask questions, and generally steep yourself in the world of dye, try out a few Facebook groups.
Natural Dye Education (hosted by Mamie’s Schoolhouse
Natural Textile Dyeing (hosted by The Wild Dyery)
Indigo Dye (hosted by Jennifer Dyes)
Natural Dyeing Circle (hosted by Rebecca Desnos)
Natural dyeing workshops
Some excellent courses and workshops:
The Dogwood Dyer – Year in Natural Dyes Membership
Maiwa School of Textiles – Science of natural dyeing, Indigo courses, Ink Making Course
Rebecca Desnos – A Natural Dye Club, Specific Dye Courses
Botanical Colors – Foundational and Advanced Dye Courses
Mamie’s Schoolhouse – Beginner Dyer Club and Masters Courses
The Barefoot Dyer – Cellulose Fiber Course, Eco Printing Course
Indigofest – Intuitive Indigo Course
Natural dyers to follow
Rebecca Desnos
Her book Botanical Colors at Your Fingertips is a great resource for dyeing with soy milk and natural dyes.
The Dogwood Dyer
Botanical Colors
Botanical Colors is an online shop offering natural dye resources and supplies as well as a library of helpful and informative dyeing tutorials.
