
Curious about growing your own plants for natural dyes? Join Extension Master Gardener Nicole McGrew to learn which flowers produce which colors, the seasonality of a dye garden, and the best manner to grow and store your botanical dyes. Whether you have a small, raised bed, space in a community garden or a sunny window ledge, you can experience the pleasure of growing your own natural dye garden with a variety of plants.
This free online class was offered by Extension Master Gardeners.
Zoom session, recorded May 6, 2022
Video of Presentation
Additional Resources
Books & Websites
- Behan, Babs. 2018. Botanical Inks: Plant-to-Print Dyes, Techniques and Projects. Quadrille Publishing.
http://www.botanicalinks.com/book - Booth, Abigail. 2019. The Wild Dyer: A Maker’s Guide to Natural Dyes with Projects to Create and Stitch. Princeton Architectural Press.
- Burgess, Rebecca with Courtney White. Fibershed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists, and Makers for a New Textile Economy. 2019. Chelsea Green Publishing.
https://fibershed.org/community/fibershed-the-book/ - Chang, Rosa Sung Ji. 2020. Indigo Shade Map: Connecting the World with Blue Shade.
- https://www.indigoshademap.org/
- Chang, Rosa Sung Ji. 2021. Session #1: Indigo Shade Map. Baltimore Natural Dye Symposium Series. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).
https://www.mica.edu/annual-events-series/natural-dye-initiative/naturaldyesymposium/session-1-indigo-shade-map/ - Chang, Rosa Sung Ji. 2021. Session #2: Korean Natural Dyes. Baltimore Natural Dye Symposium Series. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).
https://www.mica.edu/annual-events-series/natural-dye-initiative/naturaldyesymposium/session-2-korean-natural-dye/ - Frausin, Gina, Katrina Barnish, et al. Regenerative Textiles: Colours & Techniques. 2021. Field Museum. Chicago.
https://fieldguides.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/rapid-color-guides-pdfs/1310_united_kingdom_natural_dyes_in_nw_england.pdf
Tools
- Buckets
- Clothesline
- Glass jars, like jam or Mason jars
- Mesh strainer
- Mortar & pestle
- Muslin or cheesecloth
- Paper bags
- Rubber gloves
- Scale and measuring spoons
- Scissors and pruning shears
- Stainless steel bowls
- Stainless steel pots
- Steel wool
- Thermometer
- Tongs
- Twine
- Whisk
- Wooden spoons