Plants for Dyeing: Black Walnut

For the past few weeks here in Connecticut, the black walnuts have been dropping from the trees. There aren’t many of these trees left, so whenever I spot one, I make a note of it. Luckily, there are several on the grounds of the museum where I work, so I have a ready supply seasonally, [...]

Plants for dyeing: Onion skins

Possibly the most readily available dye source I know, onion skins also produce a reliable color, depending upon which mordant and what kind of dye pot you use. It’s also nontoxic and environmentally safe. Just using alum mordant, you can

get a variety of shades by varying the pot or kettle. My favorite is brass, which [...]

Plants for dyeing: Pokeweed

Pokeweed is shrub that commonly grows in dry, neglected areas. In New England, it generally blossoms in mid-summer and sets fruit in September. Throughout history, pokeweed has had several uses. One of the first plants to show itself in spring, young shoots were gathered, boiled and eaten as a tonic after the long, cold [...]