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easy red plant dyes?

 
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What are good northeast plants to use for a easy reddish dye? Im not really a fulltime dyer just wanna try it but I dont want anything too complicated. Any ideas? For wool also.
 
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christoph Berger wrote:What are good northeast plants to use for a easy reddish dye? Im not really a fulltime dyer just wanna try it but I dont want anything too complicated. Any ideas? For wool also.



Does madder grow there? Rubi tinctorum
I think some places it is considered a pest plant but I'm not sure where...maybe it grows wild where you are. If not and they are allowed to ship it there Horizon Herbs carries the seed and it's easy to germinate and grow.
I had a problem with deer and rabbits eating it so be sure to protect from critters.
It takes three years to make good roots to use for dye though. It can produce a wide range of color fast reds and oranges.
I'm starting all over with dye plants now because we moved...today I transplanted some nice madder starts into bigger pots until I find a place to put them.
 
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This may be a dumb suggestion (since I have no dye or fiber experience) but what about beet juice? It seems to dye my clothes pretty well when I'm canning beets...
 
Judith Browning
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This may be a dumb suggestion (since I have no dye or fiber experience) but what about beet juice? It seems to dye my clothes pretty well when I'm canning beets...



not a dumb question at all.....beet juice is used as a dye it just isn't as permanent as others. I don't think it's very light fast and won't hold up to washing.
It's a fun dye for eggs and paper and simple projects with kids though. ...and dyeing food
 
christoph Berger
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Thanks for the replies. I dont think madder grows here. I think I might try st johns wort though, or bloodroot.
 
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