Plants to Dye For: Wrap Up 2021

In this post I'm closing up my atelier for the season, and taking a look back at all our projects. I had a great time searching our residential property for potential plant dyes. Some of the results were a little disappointing, and not as dramatic as the madder, cochineal, and logwood dyes from last year. But overall I love the soft hues that the plant dyes produce. I had expected more brown dyes, and was surprised by so much yellow! Following is a wrap up of our Plants to Dye For season in 2021.

Dye projects (from left to right): camelia, tulip tree, French broom, calendula, cherries 

Projects and Videos

Dyeing fabric using plants growing in our own landscape, or planted from seed.

Dye Project: Camellia Petals

Dye Project: Tulip Tree

Dye Project: French Broom

Dye Project: Cherries

Dye Project: Calendula Flowers

Seeds to Dye For

Growing our own dye stuff from seeds.

Seeds to Dye For

July Check In

September Check In

November Check In

Dye Project: Calendula Flowers (solar)

Books and Articles

Great books and articles for learning more about plants and dyes.

How to Use Iron Powder (Ferrous Sulfate), provided by Botanical Colors

The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes, by Sasha Duerr

A Lesson About Dye Plants: Broom, by Catharine Ellis

Dye Flower Instructions: Creating and Using a Dyebath, provided by Botanical Colors

Kissed by the Sun: The Art of Solar Dyeing, by Ria Burns

The Beginners Guide to Solar Dyeing, by Victoria of La Creative Mama

Dye with Calendula, provided by Dyeing Crafts

Homemade Calendula Dye, provided by Mother Earth News

Resources

Favorite sources for plant dye supplies and information.

Maiwa Textiles: shop for dyes and extracts, and learn how to dye (The Maiwa Guide to Natural Dyes).

Dharma Trading Company: shop for dyes, extracts and supplies, and learn how to dye.

Amazon: shop for alum, Synthrapol, soda ash, washing soda, dyes, and gallon jars.

Botanical Colors: recommended for dyes, extracts and supplies.

Slow Fiber Studios: shop for dyes, extracts and supplies; events, classes, and more.

Renee's Garden: shop for seeds and growing supplies.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me. To see what we did last year, see Plants to Dye For (2020): Wrap Up. Stay tuned for more dye projects in the seasons to come!