Beautiful bright colors can be obtained by dyeing
with natural dyes. Dyes can be gathered from nature or
you can use dyestuff which will give you any color under
the rainbow.
Alkanet Root: (Alkanna Tinctoria)
This will give colors from bluish grey to soft
burgundy. This plant will grow like a weed if one wants
to grow it.
Annato Seed: (Bixa Orellana)
Will give an orange shade, it is a good dye for
cotton.
Brazilwood Dust: (Caesalpania Echinata)
This dye will give you reds. Before using the dust,
expose it to the air and sprinkle with water and
alcohol.
Cochineal: (Dactylopius Coccus)
The little cochineal bug will give the most color
when ground into a fine powder. Obtainable colors are dark burgundy to bright red to
soft lilac and pink.
Cutch Extract: (Acacia Catechu)
Cutch is a very easy dye. It will remain fast even on
cottons and silks. It is good for combinations and
produces brown tones if used by itself.
Indigo Natural: (Indigo Tinctotia)
Natural Indigo comes in blocks which, without further
preparation, dyeing would not be possible as it does not
dissolve in water. A recipe and reducing agent are
needed. The color range that is produced is blue.
Indigo Solution Natural: (Saxony blue)
Produces a bright blue and is very easy to use,
similar to a chemical dye. All of the dye will be
absorbed in the fiber. It is not very good to dye cotton
nor other vegetable fibers.
Loqwood Concentrate: (Hematoxylon Campechianum)
Expected colors anywhere from magenta's and brown to
purples and pink. A mordant is absolutely needed. The
concentrated powder will give more bluish colors. It
dyes cotton well.
Madderroot: (Rubia Tinctorum)
Is available in two forms: root or dust. Colors range
anywhere from red to red-brown and oranges. It dyes
cotton well.
Osage Orange Dust: (Maclura Pomifer)
Also available in two colors; bright yellow and gold.
Two different colors can be obtained.
Red Sandalwood: (Pterocarpus)
This dye is beautiful for blending. It produces
lovely browns, good shade combinations for doll
hair.