To Dye For

When sourcing color, there is plenty of inspiration in the natural world. Sure, you can get custom paint, generated by computers, in minutes. But that color code was likely inspired by a hue that appears organically. Explore the simple beauty and color of natural dyes made from everyday items you might already have in your kitchen or garden.The list of sources that yield beautiful colors is robust; a quick Google search reveals the top eighty-five! Some easy-to-find fruits, vegetables, and spices include: beets, avocados, roses, cherries,blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, turmeric, saffron, tea, coffee, dandelion roots, spinach, onion, and black beans. Make your own dyes or buy prepared packets online. Minnesota-based Northern Dyer offers a grow-your-own natural dye garden kit with seeds, starting pots, soil pellets, and a how-to guide for growing plants that will ultimately make ideal dyes. Want to learn more about how to DIY? There are great hardcover resources such as The Modern Natural Dyer: A Comprehensive Guide to Dyeing Silk, Wool, Linen and Cotton at Homeand Natural Color: VibrantPlant Dye Projects for Your Home and Wardrobe. Locally, look for fiber collectives, which may offer classes or have resources for materials. Linen, wool, silk, and cotton absorb colors beautifully and maintain the integrity of the back-to-basics process. Even if you don’t fancy yourselfcrafty, you can easily purchase plenty of beautiful naturally dyed decor and wardrobe pieces.While natural dye is historical, accessible, and a throwback to simple, sustainable living, it’s not known for being hardwearing. And if a piece is functional, you’ll likely want to wash it from time to time. Due to the delicate nature of natural dye, take precautions. Handwash using a gentle detergent (Synthrapol gets rave reviews because it prevents dye migration). Then, dry in the shade to avoid fading from the sun. In general, keep items with natural dye stored or displayed out of direct sunlight to preserve color. Keep rugs out of high-traffic areas and maintain them with careful vacuuming.