Tag Archives: natural fabric dye

How To Dye Cotton Fabric Black Naturally

How To Dye Cotton Fabric Black Naturally

Cellulose fibers, like cotton, linen and rayon, are more difficult to dye with plants than protein fibers like wool and silk. It’s possible to dye cotton fabric black but it takes time: at least three days (or rather a week) from start to finish! Because you have to scour the fabric, extract the dye, dye the fabric, modify the color and overdye the fabric again. But even if it’s a lengthy process, it’s very budget-friendly and sustainable: Because you probably have the materials already at home or can gather them outdoors! Continue reading How To Dye Cotton Fabric Black Naturally

Update Old Clothes With Fabric Dye

You can easily update old clothes with fabric dye. Dyeing old clothes is such a fun, creative , cheap and eco-friendly way to give old clothes a new life! So make your old clothes new again with fabric dye!

Update Old Clothes With Fabric Dye
Pale pink cotton top dyed with turquoise fabric dye

I used simplicol fabric dye which is so easy to use. You simply toss your clothes and the fabric dye into the washer. Then wait for the clothes to “wash” and your clothes are dyed. It’s almost like Christmas because you never know what color they turn out to be! Continue reading Update Old Clothes With Fabric Dye

10+ DIY Natural Fabric Printing Inks With Fruits & Vegetables

DIY Natural Fabric Printing Inks

Did you know that you can make your own fabric printing inks with things you’ll find in the nature? 😀

Learn how to make your own DIY natural fabric printing ink with fruits, such as sloe berries and bilberries, and vegetables, such as red cabbage and onions. Continue reading 10+ DIY Natural Fabric Printing Inks With Fruits & Vegetables

Red Cabbage + Baking Soda – Print Samples

Red Cabbage + Baking Soda - Print Samples

I used leftover natural blue food coloring (made with red cabbage and baking soda) to make some print samples. I used a fork to print mini polka dots and a pattern which looks like rain. The color was dark green before I washed the fabric. Continue reading Red Cabbage + Baking Soda – Print Samples

Red Cabbage + Baking Soda – Dye Samples

Red Cabbage + Baking Soda - Dye Samples

Today I made more dye experiments with red cabbage. This time I made a dye bath with red cabbage and baking soda. I diluted leftover homemade blue food coloring (made with red cabbage and baking soda) with water. The food coloring turned the water dark blue, almost black. Continue reading Red Cabbage + Baking Soda – Dye Samples

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) Natural Dye Experiment

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) Natural Dye Experiment

Some time ago, I tried to dye with bugleweed (Ajuga reptans). I brought the flowering bugleweed to a boil which turned the water blue. After letting the dye simmer for a few minutes, the water became green. Despite the promising colors, neither the blue nor the green water dyed wool yarn or cotton fabric. But the blue and green colored water is so pretty, isn’t it?