Plant dye

[~Nikki~]

Anybody have experience with using plant based dyes (for playsilks, fabric, whatever)? I'd like to start toying with it on plain old cotton. But my brief google searches on the topic bring up warnings about some plant dyes being toxic (which would kind of negate my reason for using them).

Are there any idiot-proof books or websites out there on the topic?

Anyone, anyone...Bueller?

[eepster]

It is much easier to dye protien based fibers (silk, wool, mohair, etc) than plant based fibers like cotton. For protien fibers all you need to do is add an acid like vinegar to your dye stuffs.

I've had great results with beets, tumeric, tea, concord grape juice, raspberry juice, blueberry juice, etc. I add white distilled vinegar and water and heat it up in the microwave.

Frozen fruits and veggies don't work.

If toxicity is your main concern artificial food colors work great too. Old easter egg dye, wilsons cake colors, koolaid, etc.

[SneakyPie]

Onion skins are fun too, and purple cabbage. And the old standby, tea. I have only ever dyed cottons, though, and then only things that weren't going to be washed often.