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Natural Dyeing with Children

 
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I had a go at natural dyeing with my daughter and her friend this week and we were really excited to see the potential of what you can do!

We missed some steps and didn't soak our fabric over a long period of time (which you should) simply because two eager children wanted to dye in one afternoon! but I think we're hooked and will now be doing much more of this. It's a great thing to do with kids.

We made two dye baths - one using mint and rosemary and one using avocado stones and skins... this produced green and pink hues.

The book we followed was a lovely one (available in ebook and hard copy) by an independent plant dyer here in the UK - Rebecca Desnos.

Now a patchwork sewing project shall commence!
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That's cool! I frankly never thought to try to dye something. I could buy some white cotton shirts and we could dye them with plants--I think my kids would find that really cool! (I know I find it cool, LOL!!!)

How long-lasting are the dyes?

Both my kids love red...I'm doubting there's an easy way to make red, though, right?
 
Alice Griffin
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Hey Nicole... honestly it's so much fun with kids... because they can collect what they want to use, make the dye, dye the fabric, then make (or wear) something from the fabric.

The colours are all quite natural... but you can get quite a strong pinky/red from avocado stones! Or maybe try blackberries for a darker purple colour...

Dye length depends on if you use a mordant (pre-soak fabric in soya milk, for instance) and how long you dye for (can leave fabric in dye bath for 24 hrs!) ...

Rebecca's book is great - guides you through all the steps really easily.

Do share any results you get - I would love to see them :)
 
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