Natural Dyes
BLUE
Power or Force, Solitude or Truth - Allusion to the after life
1 Blueberries
2 Cornflower - (petals) blue dye with alum, water
3 Hyacinth - (flowers) - blue
4 Indigo (leaves) - blue
5 grapes - purple
6 Dogwood - (fruit) greenish-blue
7 Purple Iris - blue
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- Cherry (roots)
- Saffron - (petals) blue/green
- Blackberry (fruit) strong purple
- Hyacinth - (flowers) - blue
- Japanese indigo (deep blue)
- Red Cedar Root (purple)
- Raspberry -(fruit) purple/blue
- Red Maple Tree (purple)(inner bark)
- Nearly Black Iris - (dark bluish purple) alum mordant
- Dogwood - (fruit) greenish-blue
- Oregon Grape -(fruit) blue/purple
- Purple Iris - blue
- Sweetgum (bark) - purple / black
- Queen Anne's Lace -
GREEN
The holy colour of the Prophet Mohammed - it's used sparingly in places
1 Artichokes
2 Tea Tree - (flowers) green/black
3 Sorrel (roots) - dark green
4 Foxglove - (flowers) apple green
5 Lilac - (flowers) green
6 Snapdragon - (flowers) - green
7 Larkspur - green - alum
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- Artemisia species provide a range of greens from baby's breath to nettle green.
- Spinach (leaves)
- Camellia - (pink, red petals) - green
- Black-Eyed Susans
- Grass (yellow green)
- Pigsweed (entire plant) yellow green
- Red Pine (needles) green
- Nettle
- Broom - (stem) green
- Plantain Roots
- White Ash - (bark) - yellow
- Purple Milkweed - (flowers & leaves) - green
- Lily-of-the-valley (light green) be careful what you do with the spent dye bath. The plant is toxic so try to avoid pouring it down the drain into the water supply.
- Barberry root (wool was dyed a greenish bronze-gold)
- Red onion (skin) (a medium green, lighter than
forest green)
- Yarrow - (flowers) yellow & green shades
- Mulga Acacia - (seed pods) - green
- Peach - (leaves) yellow/green
- Coneflower (flowers) - green
- Peppermint - dark kakhi green color
- Queen Anne's Lace - pale green
- Black-Eyed Susans - bright olive/apple green
- Hydrangea (flowers) - alum mordant, added some copper and it came out a beautiful celery green
- Chamomile (leaves) - green
YELLOW
The Sun, Joy of Life, Power or Glory
1 Saffron (stigmas) - yellow - set with Alum.
2 Safflower (flowers, soaked in water) - yellow
3 Marigold (blossoms) - yellow
4 Burdock (root) - yellow
5 Daffodil flower heads (after they have died); alum
6 Sunflowers - (flowers) - yellow
7 Yarrow - yellow and gold
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- Bay leaves - yellow
- Barberry (bark) - yellow
- Crocus - yellow
- Fustic - yellow
- Sassafras (bark)- yellow
- Syrian Rue (glows under black light)
- Red Clover (whole blossom, leaves and stem) alum mordant - gold
- Yellow cone flower (whole flower head); chrome mordant; Brass to Greeney-Brass.
- Onion (skins) - set with Alum.
- Alfalfa (seeds) - yellow
- Willow (leaves)
- Queen Anne's Lace
- Heather - (plant) - yellow
- St. John's Wort - (flowers & leaves) - gold/yellow
- Celery (leaves)
- Golden Rod (flowers)
- Sumac (bark) - The inner pith of Sumac branches can produce a super bright yellow color.
- Weld (bright yellow)
- Old man's beard lichen - yellow/brown/orange shades
- Oregon-grape roots - yellow
- Cameleon plant (golden)
- Mimosa - (flowers) yellow
- Osage Orange also known as Bois d'arc or hedgeapple (heartwood, inner bark, wood, shavings or sawdust) (pale yellow)
- Daffodil flower heads (after they have died); alum mordant
- Mullen (leaf and root) pale yellow. *careful, because the little fuzzy hairs can make one itchy!
- Hickory leaves (yellow) if plenty of leaves are boiled and salt added.
- Tea ( ecru color)
- Yellow, Curly, Bitter, or Butter Dock (despite various leaf shapes, all have a bright yellow taproot) gives you a yellow/flesh color.
- White mulberry tree (bark) Cream color onto white or off-white wool. Alum mordant.
- Paprika -pale yellow - light orange)
- Peach (leaves) - yellow
- Beetroot (yellow) (alum & K2Cr2O7)
- Turmeric (spice) --bright yellow
- Oxallis (wood sorrels) (flowers) - the one with the yellow flowers. Use the flower heads, some stem ok. It is nearly fluorescent yellow, and quite colorfast on alum mordanted wool.
If the oxalis flowers are fermented or if a small dash of cloudy ammonia is added to the dyebath (made alkaline) the fluorescent yellow becomes fluorescent orange. Usually I do this as an after-bath, once I have the initial colour. Useful for shifting the dye shade, and some good surprises in store!
- Dahlia Flowers (Red, yellow, orange flowers) make a lovely yellow to orange dye for wool.
- Mulga Acacia -(flowers) - yellow
- Dyer's Greenwood (shoots) - yellow
- Tansy (tops) - yellow
The Sun, Joy of Life, Power or Glory
1 Saffron (stigmas) - yellow - set with Alum.
2 Safflower (flowers, soaked in water) - yellow
3 Marigold (blossoms) - yellow
4 Burdock (root) - yellow
5 Daffodil flower heads (after they have died); alum
6 Sunflowers - (flowers) - yellow
7 Yarrow - yellow and gold
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- Bay leaves - yellow
- Barberry (bark) - yellow
- Crocus - yellow
- Fustic - yellow
- Sassafras (bark)- yellow
- Syrian Rue (glows under black light)
- Red Clover (whole blossom, leaves and stem) alum mordant - gold
- Yellow cone flower (whole flower head); chrome mordant; Brass to Greeney-Brass.
- Onion (skins) - set with Alum.
- Alfalfa (seeds) - yellow
- Willow (leaves)
- Queen Anne's Lace
- Heather - (plant) - yellow
- St. John's Wort - (flowers & leaves) - gold/yellow
- Celery (leaves)
- Golden Rod (flowers)
- Sumac (bark) - The inner pith of Sumac branches can produce a super bright yellow color.
- Weld (bright yellow)
- Old man's beard lichen - yellow/brown/orange shades
- Oregon-grape roots - yellow
- Cameleon plant (golden)
- Mimosa - (flowers) yellow
- Osage Orange also known as Bois d'arc or hedgeapple (heartwood, inner bark, wood, shavings or sawdust) (pale yellow)
- Daffodil flower heads (after they have died); alum mordant
- Mullen (leaf and root) pale yellow. *careful, because the little fuzzy hairs can make one itchy!
- Hickory leaves (yellow) if plenty of leaves are boiled and salt added.
- Tea ( ecru color)
- Yellow, Curly, Bitter, or Butter Dock (despite various leaf shapes, all have a bright yellow taproot) gives you a yellow/flesh color.
- White mulberry tree (bark) Cream color onto white or off-white wool. Alum mordant.
- Paprika -pale yellow - light orange)
- Peach (leaves) - yellow
- Beetroot (yellow) (alum & K2Cr2O7)
- Turmeric (spice) --bright yellow
- Oxallis (wood sorrels) (flowers) - the one with the yellow flowers. Use the flower heads, some stem ok. It is nearly fluorescent yellow, and quite colorfast on alum mordanted wool.
If the oxalis flowers are fermented or if a small dash of cloudy ammonia is added to the dyebath (made alkaline) the fluorescent yellow becomes fluorescent orange. Usually I do this as an after-bath, once I have the initial colour. Useful for shifting the dye shade, and some good surprises in store!
- Dahlia Flowers (Red, yellow, orange flowers) make a lovely yellow to orange dye for wool.
- Mulga Acacia -(flowers) - yellow
- Dyer's Greenwood (shoots) - yellow
- Tansy (tops) - yellow
GOLD
Power, Wealth
1 Red Clover (whole blossom, leaves and stem) alum mordant - gold
2 St. John's Wort - (flowers & leaves) - gold/yellow
3 Golden Rod (flowers)
4 Weld (bright yellow)
5 Cameleon plant (golden)
6 Yarrow - yellow and gold
7 Daffodil flower heads (after they have died); alum
Power, Wealth
1 Red Clover (whole blossom, leaves and stem) alum mordant - gold
2 St. John's Wort - (flowers & leaves) - gold/yellow
3 Golden Rod (flowers)
4 Weld (bright yellow)
5 Cameleon plant (golden)
6 Yarrow - yellow and gold
7 Daffodil flower heads (after they have died); alum
ORANGE
Humility and Piety, Devotion
1 Alder Bark - (orange)
2 Bloodroot will give a good orange to reddish orange color.
3 Sassafras (leaves)
4 Turmeric dyed cloth will turn orange or red if it is dipped in lye.
5 Pomegranate – with alum anywhere from orange to khaki
6 Eucalyptus - (leaves and bark) beautiful shades of tan, orange and brown.
7 Giant Coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea) Yields bright permanent orange with alum.
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- Onion (skin) - orange
- Lichen (gold)
- Carrot - (roots) orange
- Lilac (twigs) - yellow/orange
- Barberry (mahonia sp.) yellow orange (with alum) very strong & permanent. Any part of the plant will work.
- Butternut - (seed husks) - orange
Humility and Piety, Devotion
1 Alder Bark - (orange)
2 Bloodroot will give a good orange to reddish orange color.
3 Sassafras (leaves)
4 Turmeric dyed cloth will turn orange or red if it is dipped in lye.
5 Pomegranate – with alum anywhere from orange to khaki
6 Eucalyptus - (leaves and bark) beautiful shades of tan, orange and brown.
7 Giant Coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea) Yields bright permanent orange with alum.
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- Onion (skin) - orange
- Lichen (gold)
- Carrot - (roots) orange
- Lilac (twigs) - yellow/orange
- Barberry (mahonia sp.) yellow orange (with alum) very strong & permanent. Any part of the plant will work.
- Butternut - (seed husks) - orange
BLACK
Usually only found in outlines. Mourning, Destruction
1- Carob pod (boiled) will give a gray to cotton
2- Oak galls - makes a good black dye.
3- Rusty nails & vinegar - set with Alum.
4- Iris (roots)
5- Sawthorn Oak - (seed cups) - black
6- Walnut (hull) - black
7- Sumac (leaves) (Black)
Usually only found in outlines. Mourning, Destruction
1- Carob pod (boiled) will give a gray to cotton
2- Oak galls - makes a good black dye.
3- Rusty nails & vinegar - set with Alum.
4- Iris (roots)
5- Sawthorn Oak - (seed cups) - black
6- Walnut (hull) - black
7- Sumac (leaves) (Black)
BROWN
Fertility
1 Oak bark will give a tan or oak color.
2 Sumac (leaves) - tan
3 Walnut (hulls) - deep brown (wear gloves)
4- Acorns (boiled)
5- Beetroot -Dark Brown With FeSO4
6- Birch (bark) - Light brown/ buff - Alum to set
7-Maple Trees (Red Leaf Buds) - red-brown color when dried. Found on branches before new leaves appear only present during early spring and throughout fall.
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- Wild plum root will give a reddish or rusty brown.
- Dandelion (roots) brown
- Broom - (bark) - yellow/brown
- Walnut (husks) - deep brown - black
- Tea Bags - light brown, tan
- White Birch - (inner bark) - brown
- Juniper Berries
- Fennel - (flowers, leaves) - yellow/brown
- Coffee Grinds
- Hollyhock (petals)
- Colorado Fir - (bark) - tan
- Yellow dock (shades of brown)
- Amur Maple (Acer Ginnala) - black, blue, brown from dried leaves.
- Ivy - (twigs) - yellow/brown
- Pine Tree Bark - light medium brown. Needs no mordant.
- White Maple (bark) - Light brown/ buff - Alum to set
- St John's Wort (blossom) - brown
- Broom Sedge - golden yellow and brown
- Coneflower (flowers) - brownish green ; leaves and stems - gold
- Goldenrod (shoots ) - deep brown
Fertility
1 Oak bark will give a tan or oak color.
2 Sumac (leaves) - tan
3 Walnut (hulls) - deep brown (wear gloves)
4- Acorns (boiled)
5- Beetroot -Dark Brown With FeSO4
6- Birch (bark) - Light brown/ buff - Alum to set
7-Maple Trees (Red Leaf Buds) - red-brown color when dried. Found on branches before new leaves appear only present during early spring and throughout fall.
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- Wild plum root will give a reddish or rusty brown.
- Dandelion (roots) brown
- Broom - (bark) - yellow/brown
- Walnut (husks) - deep brown - black
- Tea Bags - light brown, tan
- White Birch - (inner bark) - brown
- Juniper Berries
- Fennel - (flowers, leaves) - yellow/brown
- Coffee Grinds
- Hollyhock (petals)
- Colorado Fir - (bark) - tan
- Yellow dock (shades of brown)
- Amur Maple (Acer Ginnala) - black, blue, brown from dried leaves.
- Ivy - (twigs) - yellow/brown
- Pine Tree Bark - light medium brown. Needs no mordant.
- White Maple (bark) - Light brown/ buff - Alum to set
- St John's Wort (blossom) - brown
- Broom Sedge - golden yellow and brown
- Coneflower (flowers) - brownish green ; leaves and stems - gold
- Goldenrod (shoots ) - deep brown
RED
Beauty, Wealth, Courage, Luck, Joy, Faith, Happiness
1 Elderberry - red
2 Sumac (fruit) - light red
3 Sycamore (bark)- red
4 Beets - deep red
5 Crab Apple - (bark) - red/yellow
6 Madder (root) - red
7 Hibiscus Flowers (dried)
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- Red leaves will give a reddish brown color I use salt to set the dye.
- Dandelion (root)
- Bamboo - turkey red
- Rose (hips)
- Chokecherries
- Kool-aid
- Canadian Hemlock - (bark) reddish brown
- Japanese Yew - (heartwood) - brown dye
- Wild ripe Blackberries
- Brazilwood
- St. John's Wort - (whole plant) soaked in alcohol - red
- Bedstraw (root) - red
Beauty, Wealth, Courage, Luck, Joy, Faith, Happiness
1 Elderberry - red
2 Sumac (fruit) - light red
3 Sycamore (bark)- red
4 Beets - deep red
5 Crab Apple - (bark) - red/yellow
6 Madder (root) - red
7 Hibiscus Flowers (dried)
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- Red leaves will give a reddish brown color I use salt to set the dye.
- Dandelion (root)
- Bamboo - turkey red
- Rose (hips)
- Chokecherries
- Kool-aid
- Canadian Hemlock - (bark) reddish brown
- Japanese Yew - (heartwood) - brown dye
- Wild ripe Blackberries
- Brazilwood
- St. John's Wort - (whole plant) soaked in alcohol - red
- Bedstraw (root) - red
WHITE
Purity or Peace, Cleanliness
Purity or Peace, Cleanliness