Natural Dyes

Sodium hydroxide - also known as caustic soda. Lye is a strong alkali used with vat dyes and indigo. Wear protective clothing when mixing lye and have good ventilation. Always add lye to cold water...

Madder – Rubia tinctorium, Rubia cordifolia, and Morinda citrifolia is one of the oldest dyestuffs. It is frequently used to produce turkey reds, mulberry, orange-red, terra cotta, and in combination...

Marigold - This dyestuff consists of dried and ground flower heads of the Tagetes species. It yields rich vibrant yellows, green-yellows and oranges with 20 -30% dried marigold to wof. Marigold is...

Chestnut trees grow in many parts of the world and contain a great source of tannin. They dye a warm brown colour. This dye is also well known for it’s ability to dye silk black with the addition of...

Cochineal – is the most important of the insect dyes and comes from the bodies of female insects of the species Dactylopius. These live on the prickly pear (nopal) cactus which is native to Mexico,...

Myrobalan - This dyestuff consists of ground nuts of the Terminalia chebula tree. This tree grows in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Indochina and South China. It may be classed as both a...

Pomegranate - An extract from the rinds of pomegranates (Punica granatum), this dyestuff is high in tannin and improves the light and washfastnes of any dye with which it is mixed. In India and...

Quebracho dye comes from a tree native to South America, which is very high in tannins. The dye can vary in colours from coral, warm red brown, yellow or green depending on the species. Dyeing: Use...

Weld or Dyer’s weed has been used as a dyeplant for many centuries in the Mediterranean, Europe and North Africa. It has been a long time favourite yellow due to its intense colour which has...

Tannin or tannic acid is used to assist the mordants of cellulose fibres and fabrics. Alum does not bond with cellulose fibres as well as it does with protein fibres. However, tannin bonds well with...

Great tools for wax application during glazing and natural dye. It is also good for apply glaze lines. Sold as package of 3 with different sized tips.