Thursday, August 1, 2013

made at home: natural dyes




Ginger Root & Bay Leaf Dye Items:

  • Ginger Root and Bay leaves
  • Vinegar
  • Two large pots

   Soak desired clothing in a vinegar bath (4 parts of water to 1 part vinegar  to soak before the dyeing process. Chop up desired amount of ginger (I used about 3 cups) and gather the bay leaves. Bring 7 cups of water in two separate pots to a boil and add the ginger and the bay leaves into their pots. Allow this to simmer for about an hour. 
   After letting the mixtures cool after simmering  I placed the items of clothing into the pots and let them soak for about 8 hours. Occasionally rotating the clothing inside of the pots. Try and set the pots in the sun if possible. After a desired tint is achieved, wash the dyed fabrics in cold water alone and hang to dry. 





   Creating my own dyes has always been a little project I've wanted to make. I did a bit of research before conducting this dye adventure and decided to make a few changes in the process. I have been making simple tea dyes for my clothing for some time now, and I always leave those to soak overnight instead of boil. I took that concept here for the natural dyes and set them on my porch for the rest of the day in the sun.
   The dyes turned out more as a tint, which I actually really liked. The socks and tights were my favorite, and the pillow sheets and shirt were my least (because the tint was so light!). If I was to re-due this process, I would create a stronger dye, but this project is perfect for giving that "vintage feel" to a fully white item.

8 comments:

  1. This is super awesome! I've always wanted to dye some of my clothes but the general chemicalness of it all freaks me out, so natural dyes would definitely be the way to go.

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  2. Wow those tights, looks nice!
    Well done c: Xx

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  3. wow, i've never even dyed anything at home before except my hair, that's great that you made the dye yourself!

    little henry lee

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  4. Ok, this is really a great idea for left over produce and such. I have seen this done with beets, and I lpve the color it makes.

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