Foraging Basics

Tip Details
Know your local region Use guidebooks or apps to identify safe plants
Forage ethically Take only 10% of what’s available; never from protected land
Use gloves and scissors Avoid skin irritation or plant damage
Avoid pollutants Never collect near roads, industrial areas, or sprayed farmland
Record locations & bloom cycles Helps with seasonal planning and sustainability

Natural Dye Colour Chart

Colour Range Common Plant Sources (Foraged) Notes
Yellow Goldenrod, yarrow, birch leaves, onion skins Strong and consistent
Green Nettles, dock leaves, spinach (needs modifier) Requires iron or copper mordants
Orange Coreopsis, carrot tops, lichen Bright with alum mordant
Red Madder root, sumac berries, strawberry leaves Madder is cultivated, not wild
Pink Avocado skins/pits, raspberry leaves Avocados give dusty rose, not hot pink
Purple Elderberries, pokeweed (toxic), purple basil Delicate—can fade
Blue Woad, indigo (not wild), red cabbage (modifier) Harder to extract from wild plants
Brown Black walnut husks, acorns, alder cones Excellent for warm tones
Gray/Black Iron modifiers + tannin-rich plants Use oak galls, black tea, sumac

Mordants & Modifiers

Mordant/Modifier Use Notes
Alum Sets colour, brightens Food-safe, beginner-friendly
Iron (rusty nails or iron water) Dulls or darkens colour Enhances greens, browns, and grays
Copper Warms or brightens certain hues Use sparingly; can be toxic in soil
Tannin Binds colour, boosts fastness Found in oak galls, black tea, sumac
Vinegar pH shift Brightens reds/pinks, weakens blues
Baking Soda pH shift Shifts toward greens/yellows

Fiber Preparation

Fiber Type Prep Method Tips
Cotton/Linen Scour (hot water + soda ash), then mordant Remove sizing first for better absorption
Wool/Silk Gentle scour + alum bath Avoid agitation to prevent felting
Paper Mordant optional Soak in alum solution if desired
Rayon/Bamboo Treat as cellulose fiber Often dyes well, test for colourfastness

Dye Extraction Methods

Method Best For Description
Hot Extraction Roots, bark, hard materials Simmer plant material for 30–60 min in water
Cold Soak Flowers, berries Soak in water for 1–3 days, then strain
Solar Jar Small batches, experiments Let dye materials sit in sunlit jars for 1–2 weeks
Bundle Dyeing Fabrics, paper Layer plant matter directly onto material and steam
Pound & Print Fresh leaves/flowers Hammer onto fabric to release pigment

Beginner Project Ideas

Project Type Fiber Type Skill Level Tips
Botanical Tea Towels Cotton Easy Bundle dye with flowers and steam
Naturally Dyed Yarn Wool Medium Try goldenrod or walnut
Foraged Paper Tags Cotton paper Easy Dip in cooled dye bath
Silk Scarves Silk Medium Cold soak or eco-print
Dye Swatch Book Any Beginner Great way to track colours by plant & mordant

Safety Notes

Safe Foraging Practices Dyeing Safety
Always ID plants 100% correctly Wear gloves when using mordants
Avoid endangered or rare species Use stainless steel or glass dye pots
Rinse fabric before use Dispose of dye water responsibly
Keep dyes away from food items Avoid toxic plants like pokeweed for fabric

Foraging & Dyeing Calendar (Example – Prairie Zone)

Season Available Plants Ideal Projects
Spring Nettles, birch, dandelion, willow bark Light scarves, yarn
Summer Goldenrod, coreopsis, elderberry, chamomile Eco-printed textiles, table linens
Fall Walnut husks, sumac, acorns, oak leaves Rich-toned paper, wool dyeing
Winter Lichen (ethically), bark stored from fall Indoor bundle dye or jar experiments