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Extract: Nadia’s Journal

Your kitchen contains a smörgåsbord of ingredients you can use as natural dyes.

Extract from Nadia: A Seasonal Journal

Turning veggies into colour for dyeing

From wild berries to cultivated flowers and fruits, nature offers many options for natural dyes.

Avocados, onions, turmeric, cabbages, berries, black tea, and black beans are all good options for dyeing natural fabrics but have varying degrees of steadfastness.

Most dyes require a mordant, a metallic compound powder that helps colour adhere to the fabric. There are options available from hardware and craft stores. Alum powder is a common mordant and is typically teamed with cream of tartar to help with evenness and brightness.

If you want to avoid a mordant, choose foodstuffs naturally high in tannins (see the list on page 37), which hold their colour better. Beware that without a mordant, the colour will fade more quickly.

Natural dyeing isn’t an exact art. Many things can alter the outcome, including the pH of the water, the temperature, and the variety of produce used. For example, different avocado varieties create different shades of pink.

Fabric options

Natural dyes adhere best to natural fabrics. Choose pre-washed cotton or linen in white or a light colour. If your material or item of clothing has synthetic stitching, the thread won’t dye.

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2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

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