Dyeing with natural colors: how to get stunning shades from plants and mushrooms!

Did you know you can obtain natural dyes from wild-growing plants and mushrooms?

In recent years, there has been much talk about the responsibility and environmental impact of textiles. Although not all industrial dyeing can be replaced with dyes found in nature, the Finnish Crafts Organization’s executive director Minna Hyytiäinen believes that learning about the dyeing process encourages people to think about their own consumption.

“A product you personally dye and make is special, and you want to take good care of something special. That alone affects how long we keep a product in use,” Hyytiäinen stated in a 2022 press release.

Finnish Crafts Organization instructor Titta Eräniitty has been dyeing with natural colors for decades. In her view, the element of surprise is what makes it so special.

“When dyeing with plants, the end result is always unexpected. The color you get depends on many things: the habitat, the time of year the plant was collected, whether it grew with sea or lake water, and so on.

According to Eräniitty, natural dyes hold up well, though their lightfastness is not quite as strong as industrial dyes. The wool tapestry she dyed has preserved its bright shades for 30 years. However, factors like washing can affect how long colors last.

We asked Titta Eräniitty about how to dye with plants and mushrooms.

You can achieve a distinct brown shade with alder cones.

What can you dye with natural colors?

Animal-based fibers, such as wool and silk, take dye best. You can also dye cotton, linen, and other natural fibers. You can try dyeing blends, but the synthetic fiber may not pick up the color, potentially resulting in a heathered look instead of a solid tone.

The material you dye can be in the form of yarn, felt, a shirt, or even a shag rug—almost anything.

What natural materials can you use for dyeing?

Most tree and shrub leaves will produce some shade, typically a pale beige. If you want more striking results or variety, for example, these natural materials are good choices:

Also try dyeing with kitchen staples. Onion skins are one of the best dye materials.

When should you gather plants?

Generally, the best time to pick plants is before midsummer, when they are fresh and the color is strongest. However, for plants whose tannin content rises later in the season, it’s better to collect them after that occurs. Willow bark, for instance, contains tannin, as do many other tree barks. You can also dry the plants for use later.

How much natural material do you need?

You need a quantity of fresh plant matter equal in weight to the material you plan to dye. If it’s dried plants or other dried dye matter, half the weight of the material is generally enough.

What else should someone trying natural colors know?

Most natural materials are safe to use, but especially when using mushrooms, be sure your dye area has good ventilation. Dye outside over a campfire or under a vent hood that leads directly outdoors. Even if plants or mushrooms are poisonous, only the color transfers to the material, not the toxins.

Most plant pigments are water-soluble, so you’ll need a fixative like alum. You can find alum in online yarn and craft shops or through artisans specializing in natural dyeing. If you wish, you can also use cream of tartar to help achieve a more even color.