A complete mixture of herbs and herb flowers known for their great dye producing ability. Natural dying is a restored work of art, you need time, patient but mostly a strong desire to create. I urge you to attempt to create your own healthier dyes. Chemical dyes harm your body seeping through into you skin this can cause an array of long term complications not to mention what they do to the environment. Although not an easy choice raising ones own Dyers garden producing an abundance of your own natural dying colours brings a new found joy and it certainly will be worth the effort.
Most Hyper Allergic and chemically sensitive people understand the relief in wearing natural fibers and naturals dyes.
Elecampane: Blue.
Chamomile: Various Gold and yellows.
Mullien: Bright yellow or chartreuse
Woad: Blue.
Calendula: Yellow orange, gold.
Dyers Weld: Bright yellow.
St. John's wort : St. John's wort gives a red dye using a tin/vinegar mordant.
Yarrow: Yellow to maize or dark green.
Nettle : Nettle gives a greenish yellow dye using the aerial parts in an infusion and an alum mordant.
Sagebrush : Tan golds, brilliant yellows.
20 - 50 seeds in each packet.
Natural dyeing with Chamomile and Marigold Flowers.
Dried chamomile and marigold flowers are two herbs which can be used for dyeing natural fibers such as wool or fabric. They produce pleasant pastel shades of cream and yellow. If using chamomile flowers, use the same weight of lowers as the weight of material to be dyed. If dyeing with marigolds, allow twice the weight of flowers to the weight of material.
You will need:
1- Dissolve the alum and cream of tartar in the pan in enough water to cover the fabric or wool. Add the fabric or wool when the water is warm and heat slowly until the water is boiling.
2- Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. This process is called mordanting and is necessary to fix the natural dye already in the fabric
3- Drain the wool or fabric from the pan and set aside. Discard the mordant
4- Put the flowers in the pan and add approximately 10 pints cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour.
5- Strain off the flower heads and add the mordanted wool or fabric to the liquid dye. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour or until the desired color is reached. The longer the fabric is boiled, the more color it will absorb.
6- Remove fabric or wool from the pan, rinse gently in cold water and hang out to dry. Hand-washing is recommended thereafter in case the color runs.
1 pound dried chamomile flower heads or 2 lb dried marigold flower heads
1 pound clean sheep´s wool or cotton fabric
6 tbsp alum (potassium aluminum sulfate)
2 tbsp cream of tartar
Large enamel or stainless steel dye pan or saucepan
Rubber gloves
At Amber's Organics we aim to produce sustainable organic gardens at an afford able cost to the great benefit of our homes, communities and self-reliance practices.
