First Timers. :: Natural Dyes & DIY

If you're thinking of trying out Natural Dyeing- I highly reccommend getting a book or two on the subject. Although there is a nice section in my college library about this- not any one book really did the trick. Get a couple and cross refernence- It's such a subtle science (kind of like potion making!) that everyone has thier own favourite ways.
One of the books that I found was about Dyes from the Kitchen- and this was a great, inexpensive (and quick- some plants and bark need to be soaked for 24hrs- 2 weeks. So check ahead!) way to try my hand at Natural Dyes. Jazz came over and we spent all day playing! The one thing you will need is a Mordant! (It's the stuff that opens up the wool/fibre/fleece/fabric and lets the dye really get stuck in.) I used Alum- and it was pretty simple- if not long-winded. 

There's a lot of waiting around with dyeing- especially if you're Mordanting as well. But it's worth it because it's mysterious and exciting. The great thing about using stuff from your kitchen, is that you feel like you're doing something green! Instead of throwing your fruit peels into the trash or straight onto the compost- they can be used!We tried out lots of little batches- Orange Peel, Banana Skin, Spinach, Tea, and Coffee.The colours came out super light- but they look beautiful together, and it was a great first attempt. [: