Dandelion Dye – Natural Yellow and Green
Spring is the time where the dandelion blooms everywhere, letting the lush green meadows shine in a bright yellow. With the abundant supply of plant material, your basket will quickly be filled with dandelion flower heads. The result of treating wool or other materials with dandelion dye is just as bright a yellow as the plant is itself. Further incubation of the wool with iron vinegar will turn the yellow color to green. So you could create yellow and green wool and can thereby reflect the natural colors of the dandelion.
Dandelion Dye Recipe:
To begin your natural dyeing journey with dandelions, collect 200 grams of dandelion flowers and bring them to a boil in 10 liters of water. Then let the mixture simmer. In the next step remove the pot from the heat and allow the flowers to steep overnight. This extraction process draws out the vibrant pigments from the dandelion flowers, intensifying the dye color.
The following day, place your pre-treated textile material directly into the dye pot. Ensure the material is fully submerged, adding water if necessary. Heat the dye bath to about 70 degrees Celsius to let the natural pigments infuse the fabric.
After heating, remove the dye bath from the heat and let the textiles steep for a day. Stir it occasionally for even color distribution. This allows the fabric to absorb the dye thoroughly, resulting in vibrant and consistent hues.
Once the dyeing process is complete, wash the textiles thoroughly to seal in the colors. Then rinse them gently rinse to remove any excess dye residue. With dandelion dye, you can create unique and environmentally friendly textiles that reflect the beauty of nature.
Dandelions offer a sustainable and accessible option for natural dyeing. This method allows you to unleash your creativity while minimizing environmental impact. Whether you’re dyeing clothing, accessories, or home decor items, dandelion dye provides a versatile and eco-friendly solution for adding color to your textile projects.
Experience the magic of natural dyeing with dandelions and discover the endless possibilities of creating stunning colors with this humble yet powerful plant. Let your textile creations bloom with the vibrant hues of dandelion dye and embrace the beauty of nature in every fiber.
Recipe Step by Step
- Collect dandelion flowers (200g)
- Boil in 10L of water
- Simmer, then remove from heat
- Steep overnight to extract pigments
- Next day, add pre-treated fabric to dye pot
- Fully submerge fabric, add water if needed
- Heat dye bath to 70°C
- Steep fabric for 1 day, stirring occasionally
- Wash textiles thoroughly to set color
- Rinse gently to remove excess dye