WELD DYE (Reseda Luteola)
Dye Colour: Yellow and Green (when overdyeing) | Country of Collection: Typically Europe

Weld (Reseda Luteola) is a renowned plant-based colourant with a rich history, often used to create high-quality dyes in temperate regions. Paired with other traditional dye plants like Madder, Woad, and Dyer's Chamomile, it yields beautiful shades of yellow, which can then be overdyed with Woad to create the iconic Saxon and Lincoln greens. Legend has it that Lincoln Green was the signature hue of Robin Hood and his outlaws, achieved by overdyeing Weld yellow with Woad blue.

Colour Fastness: Excellent

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio:

• 100% WOF Dye (Weld): Produces a rich, vibrant yellow.
• Overdye with Woad: Creates stunning, lively greens.
• Use of Soda Ash: Intensifies yellow tones and helps with colour extraction.

Basic Recipe for Dyeing:

• Ingredients: 100% Weld, 7% Soda Ash, Wool (mordanted with Alum)
• Instructions:
  1. Soak Weld in the dye pot with Soda Ash overnight.
  2. Bring to a simmer for 1 hour.
  3. Strain through cloth and set aside.
  4. Add mordanted wool to the dye pot and simmer gently for 1 hour.
  5. For a paler yellow: Use the same dye bath for a second batch of mordanted yarn.
  6. Reuse the dye bath: It can be used up to 2 times for additional dyeing.

Embrace the rich tradition of Weld dye and bring centuries-old colours to your fibre projects, from vibrant yellows to lush greens when combined with Woad.

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RHUBARB ROOT GROUND ONLY
Dye Colour: Yellow Brown, Green (with Iron), Pink (with Soda Ash) – pH and Mordant Dependent | Country of Collection: China

Rhubarb root is a captivating natural dye, producing a spectrum of colours that vary depending on the pH of the dye bath and the mordant used. Known as a Quinone dye, it is rich in tannins, which yield earthy yellow-brown and green hues with iron. A higher pH will shift the colour to delicate pinks or reds, though these tones are less colourfast. Notably, the yellow and green shades are more stable, maintaining their colour for longer.

Colour Fastness:

• Green and Yellow: Good
• Pink to Red: Poor

pH Sensitivity: High pH will shift the colour to red.

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio & pH/Mordant:

• 25% WOF Dye (Rhubarb Root): Yields a soft yellow-brown.
• 50% WOF Dye (Rhubarb Root): Produces a deeper yellow-brown with greenish hues when combined with iron.
• 100% WOF Dye (Rhubarb Root): Results in a rich yellow or green, depending on the pH and mordant used. Pink shades will develop with Soda Ash for a red hue.

Basic Recipe for Wool:

• Ingredients: 100% cut Rhubarb or 50% ground Rhubarb, Wool (mordanted with Alum)
• Optional: 3-5% Iron or 15% Soda Ash for different shades.

Instructions:

1. Soak the Rhubarb root in water overnight.
2. For wool, mordant with Alum before dyeing.
3. Simmer the Rhubarb root in water for 1-2 hours, and then strain.
4. Add the wool to the dye bath and simmer for 1 hour.
5. Leave the wool in the dye bath overnight for deeper colour.
6. Rinse and dry to reveal your stunning dye results.

Explore the versatility of Rhubarb Root as a natural dye and unlock a range of rich, pH-dependent colours in your yarn and fabric projects!

GLOSSY BUCKTHORN BARK DYE (Frangula alnus)
Dye Colour: Golden Yellow, Pinks, and Reds | Country of Collection: Bosnia

Glossy Buckthorn Bark is a pH-sensitive natural dye, wild-collected in Bosnia. Historically valued for its versatile colour range, it delivers golden yellow tones at a neutral pH, shifts to pink and red at higher pH levels (10–11), but it is unstable; and can yield green with the addition of iron. This bark’s gentle fragrance and good colour fastness make it a favourite among natural dyers and paint makers alike.

Colour Fastness: Good

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio

• 65g Buckthorn Bark per 100g Fibre
  Produces a spectrum from golden yellow at neutral pH to rosy reds at alkaline pH (unstable), with iron modifying towards green.

Basic Recipe for Dyeing

Ingredients: 65g Buckthorn Bark, 100g Mordanted Wool (approx. 13g Alum)

1. Soak bark for 2 days.
2. Simmer the bark in water for 2 hours; strain through cloth.
3. Add wool/fibre (along with the bark in a dye bag if desired) and simmer 1 hour.
4. Rinse well and allow to dry.

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POMEGRANATE PEELS ~ CUT & GROUND ORGANIC ~ can be used as Tannin and as yellow dye

The pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, that grows between 5 and 10 m tall. The pomegranate originated in the region extending from Iran to northern India and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region.

 Colourfastness: good - excellent

Recipe:

For how to mordant your Cellulose fibres, please see my blog post 

 How to mordant linen and cotton fabrics successfully – AppleOak FibreWorks

If you are using protein fibres, a simple 10%Alum bath will do for mordanting, but protein fibres can also be dyed without a mordant when using Pomegranate peel due to its tannin content.

Once mordanted:

Add 100% pomegranate peel to 80degrees Celcius Water for one hour. (100% of the dry Weight of your Fibre/Fabric) If using powder, stir regularly or it will burn the bottom of your pan.

After an hour, switch of the heat and add the fabric/fibre. Leave to up to 3 days, until desired depth of colour. 

Wash, rinse, dry.

 Pomegranate Powder can also be used as a tannin and for printing when combined with Alum and Guar Gum.

FUSTIC HARDWOOD ~ Dyer's Mulberry, Old Fustic or Yellowwood
Dye Colour: Yellow and Green | Country of Collection: Unknown (Typically sourced from tropical regions) | Maclura tinctoria or Chlorophora tinctoria 

Fustic, introduced to Europe in the 16th century, is a classic natural dye that produces vibrant yellow tones and clear greens when overdyed with indigo. Sourced from the hardwood of the Chlorophora or Morus tinctoria tree, a member of the Mulberry family, Fustic is known for its strength, requiring only 50% of the dye by weight of fibre (W.D.F.). The wood chips used for dyeing are reusable, allowing for multiple dye baths.

Colour Fastness: Poor to Medium

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio:

• 50% WOF Dye (Fustic): Produces a bright, clear yellow hue.
• Overdye with Indigo: Results in a clear, vibrant green.
• With 3% Iron: Transforms the dye into an olive green tone.

Basic Recipe for Dyeing:

• Ingredients: 50% Fustic cut, 10% Alum
• Instructions:
  1. Mordant the yarn by dissolving Alum in hot water and adding the yarn. Let it steep overnight.
  2. Steep the Fustic woodchips in hot water overnight.
  3. The next day, rinse the mordanted yarn.
  4. Strain the Fustic dye and let it dry for an additional day.
  5. Add the mordanted yarn to the dye bath and heat to 85°C for 1 hour.
  6. Rinse and dry the yarn.
  7. Reusing Dye: If using the dye again, boil it for 45 minutes to deepen the yellow colour.

Unlock the potential of this traditional dye, whether you're looking for a rich yellow, earthy green, or vibrant hues when combined with other dyes like Indigo.

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SAFFLOWER DYE (Carthamus tinctorius)
Dye Colour: Soft Yellow and Red | Country of Collection: Iran

Safflower, a thistle-like plant native to arid environments, offers a stunning soft yellow and red dye, making it a great choice for dyeing natural fibres like linen and cotton. While it produces a warm red, the process to extract this colour is intricate, requiring extended soaking, kneading, and rinsing. By adjusting the pH and repeating these steps, you can achieve a richer red tone on plant-based fibres. This lengthy process is well worth the effort for those seeking vibrant hues, especially for linen, cotton, and other plant fibres.

Colour Fastness: Poor to Medium

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio:

• 100% WOF Dye (Safflower): Soft yellow tones for protein fibres.
• After removal of the yellow dye: Richer red tones for plant-based fibres. 

Basic Recipe for Yellow:
Ingredients:

• 100g Safflower
• 100g mordanted yarn/fibre (Alum 15g)

Instructions:

1. Soak the Safflower dye in water overnight.
2. Bring the dye pot to a simmer for 1 hour.
3. Strain the dye through cloth and add mordanted yarn or fibre to the dye bath.
4. Simmer for 1 hour and rinse to reveal a soft yellow colour.

Notes:

• Yellow is ideal for protein fibres, red for cellulose only.
• For richer red tones: Repeat soaking, kneading, and rinsing in a high pH environment.
• Safflower produces a softer, warm yellow dye but can yield red after more intensive preparation.

Embrace the natural beauty of Safflower dye and create stunning, soft yellow and red tones for your textile or paper projects.

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ORGANIC HEATHER DYE (Calluna vulgaris)
Dye Colour: Golden Yellow and Green-Brown | Country of Collection: Croatia

This organic heather dye (Calluna vulgaris) is wild-harvested in Croatia and includes the aerial parts of the plant—stems, leaves, and remaining flowers—making it a strong and versatile botanical dye. Traditionally used for colouring wool and tweed, it produces rich golden yellows and green-browns, especially when modified with iron.

Due to its natural tannin content, this heather dye is perfect for creating deeper, earthier tones that reflect the plant’s native landscape.

Colour Fastness: Poor - Medium

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio

• 100–200% Heather Dye (WOF) → 
• Produces golden yellow tones
  • Add 3% Iron for olive green or green-brown hues

Basic Recipe for Dyeing

Ingredients:
• 100–200% Heather (by weight of fibre)
• 10% Alum (for mordanting)
• Optional: 3% Iron

Instructions:

1. Mordant the yarn: Dissolve alum in hot water, add yarn, and leave overnight.
2. Extract the dye: Simmer heather in water at 85°C (185°F) for 1 hour. Strain.
3. Rinse mordanted yarn.
4. Add yarn to dye bath and heat to 85°C (185°F) for 1 hour or leave overnight.
5. Rinse and dry.

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ORGANIC SAGE OFFICINALIS CUT
Dye Colour: Greenish Yellow and Green | Country of Origin: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial, evergreen subshrub from the Mediterranean region, now widely cultivated for its culinary, medicinal, and dyeing properties. These cut, organic leaves produce soft greenish-yellow tones in natural dyeing, which can be shifted to richer greens with the addition of iron. Perfect for those seeking a versatile herb that is both fine for consumption and ideal for natural dye projects.

Colour Fastness: Good to Excellent

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio

• 100% WOF Sage – Produces greenish-yellow hues
• Add 3–5% Iron – Shifts colour to deeper greens

Basic Recipe for Dyeing

Ingredients:

• 100% Sage (by weight of fibre)
• 3–5% Iron (optional)
• Wool or other protein fibres (mordanted with Alum)

Instructions:

1. Soak or steep sage (fresh or dried) before dyeing.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add mordanted yarn or fibre.
3. Simmer for approximately 1 hour to develop colour.
4. For green hues, add iron as a pre or after mordant.

Also available as a downloadable Sage recipe PDF and a convenient dye kit. Whether you use sage for a soothing herbal infusion, a fragrant addition to meals, or a natural colourant for your favourite yarn, this ancient herb connects your creative and culinary pursuits to centuries of tradition. Enjoy the earthy beauty that sage brings to your natural dye projects.

ORGANIC NETTLES ~ Used as herb and dye. Dye Colour yellow and green.

Country of Origin: Hungary

Urtica Fol. Organic, often known as common nettle, stinging nettle or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. Originally native to Europe it has now spread worldwide.

Nettles have been used since ancient times and can be eaten, are used in herbal medicine and dyeing.

Nettles can be used fresh and dry - similar to Lovage, the best results are achieved with fresh plants, but dried plant material works well as well.

Colourfastness: medium

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Basic recipe:

100-200% Nettle (100% if using fresh only)
3-5% Iron
Wool (mordanted 10% Alum)

Line the pot with a cloth. Fill the pot half with water and add the nettle.
Bring to about 85-95 degrees Celsius for 1 hour.

Tie dye in Cloth and leave in bath.
Add wool and simmer gently for 1 hour.

Add 3% -5% iron to the dye bath to turn it green.

Remove after about 10min, rinse & dry.

ANNATTO – ORGANIC, NON-ORGANIC & POWDERED

Botanical name: Bixa orellana
Dye colour: Yellow, orange, copper

Wool, silk, cotton and linen can all be dyed successfully with annatto. It yields warm yellows to rich orange tones and combines beautifully with other dyes such as cochineal and madder for extended colour ranges.

We offer three forms of annatto due to availability:
• Organic Whole Seeds – Wild harvested in Côte d'Ivoire
• Non-Organic Whole Seeds – Standard dye grade
• Non-Organic Powdered Seeds – Finely ground for quicker extraction and even application

Colour Range & Combinations

• Use with cochineal and cream of tartar for orange-red colours
• Pre-dye silk with madder, then add to an annatto bath for copper-orange
• Combine with tartaric acid to achieve yolk yellow

The dye is not very lightfast and may need to be refreshed after a few years. However, blending annatto with cochineal improves durability.

Basic Recipe for Yellow

100 g wool or silk, mordanted with 15% alum and 10% cream of tartar
100 g annatto seeds

1. Soak annatto seeds overnight with 10 g soda ash

2. Blend the soaked seeds and simmer for 1 hour

3. Strain through cloth and tie off seeds in a dye bag

4. Add silk to dye bath for 20 minutes at 80 °C

5. Remove silk; simmer wool in the same bath for 1 hour (without dye bag)

6. Return silk for an additional 15 minutes

This bath can be reused for lighter yellow-orange tones.
Pre-soaking wool in a vinegar bath for 10 minutes can enhance the brightness of the final shade.

In a nutshell

• Material: Annatto seeds (whole or powdered)
• Botanical name: Bixa orellana
• Grades offered: Organic, non-organic, powdered
• Dye colours: Yellow, orange, orange-red, copper
• Fibre compatibility: Wool, silk, linen, cotton
• Fastness: Poor to medium
• Best used with: Cochineal, madder, cream of tartar, tartaric acid

Organic European Solidago
Dye Colour: Yellow, Orange, and Green | Organically Grown in Poland

Our Organic Solidago, also known as Goldenrod, is carefully grown and harvested in Europe, specifically Poland. Solidago is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family, with species found across meadows, prairies, and savannas, and is native to North America. This beautiful plant produces vibrant yellow, orange, and green hues when used for natural dyeing, making it a versatile addition to your dyeing projects.

Colour Fastness: Medium - Good

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio:

• 25% WOF Dye (Solidago): Produces a soft, pale yellow hue.
• 50% WOF Dye (Solidago): Yields a deeper, vibrant yellow.
• 100% WOF Dye (Solidago): Results in a rich, golden yellow with orange undertones.

Basic Recipe for Yellow:

• Ingredients: 100% Solidago, Wool (Alum Mordant 10%)
• Instructions:
  • Soak the Solidago leaves for 1 day or overnight.
  • Boil the soaked leaves for 1 hour and drain.
  • Simmer the yarn in the dye bath for up to 1 hour.
  • Rinse and dry to reveal a stunning yellow hue.

Unlock the potential of this naturally vibrant dye and enjoy the rich colours it brings to your fabrics and yarns.

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BIRCH LEAVES DYE (Betula pendula)
Dye Colour: Yellow and Green (with Iron)
Country of Collection: Typically Europe

Birch (Betula pendula) is a deciduous hardwood tree native to Europe, widely valued in natural dyeing for its soft golden hues. The dried leaves yield a reliable yellow, which can shift to green with iron - making it a versatile natural dye for fibre artists.

Closely related to alders and hazels, birch is a classic in traditional botanical dye practices.

Colour Fastness: Good

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio:

• 100–200% WOF Birch Leaves – Produces soft to rich yellow tones
• Add 3% Iron – Shifts colour to natural olive green

Basic Recipe for Dyeing:

Ingredients:

• 100–200% Birch Leaves (by weight of fibre)
• 15% Alum (as mordant)
• Wool or other protein fibres

Instructions:

1. Soak birch leaves in water for 24 hours
2. Boil the soaked leaves for 1 hour
3. Add pre-mordanted yarn in the dye bath for 30–60 minutes
4. For colour variations, use iron as a pre or after mordant.

Use birch leaves to explore a range of nature-inspired shades. Whether you’re aiming for warm yellows or forest greens this traditional dye brings a timeless, organic beauty to your work.

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Dyer's Chamomile Flowers
Dye Colour: Yellow | Botanical: Cota tinctoria | Grown & Dried in Ireland

Experience the joy of working with our fully dried Dyer's Chamomile Flowers, which we personally produce and hand-collect in County Clare, Ireland. These vibrant yellow flowers are packed with natural dye, ideal for colour extraction. They are suitable for flower printing and are perfect for adding a rich, warm tone to your dyeing projects. Limited availability – don't miss out on these unique, locally grown flowers!

Colour Fastness: Good - Excellent

Product Details:

• Quantity: 10g (approximately 60 flower heads)
• Grown & Dried in: County Clare, Ireland
• Perfect for: Colour extraction and eco printing

Mordant-Based Recipe for Wool (Hot and Cold Dyeing):

1. Ingredients:

   • 25g of Dyer's Chamomile Flowers
   • Wool fibre (100g)
   • Alum mordant (10% of the weight of the wool)
     

2. Instructions (Hot Dyeing):

   • Soak the flowers overnight in water.
   • Boil the soaked flowers for 1 hour, then strain out the plant matter.
   • Add the mordanted wool to the dye bath and simmer for 1 hour.
   • Let the wool cool in the dye bath overnight for deeper colour.
   • Rinse the wool gently and let it dry.

3. Instructions (Cold Dyeing):

   • Soak the flowers in water for at least 24 hours (preferably 48 hours) to extract the colour.
   • Strain the flowers, then add the mordanted wool to the dye bath.
   • Allow the wool to sit in the cold dye bath for 1-3 days, stirring occasionally.
   • Once satisfied with the colour, rinse the wool gently and let it dry.

Enjoy the vibrant yellows that this locally grown Dyer's Chamomile will bring to your wool fibres, whether you prefer hot or cold dyeing methods!

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ORGANIC IRISH WELD ~ Homegrown in Co. Clare, Ireland

(Reseda luteola / Dyer’s Weld)

Bring a piece of Ireland’s dye heritage into your studio with our homegrown Weld! Grown in Co. Clare from our own carefully saved seed, we follow organic standards and sustainable practices throughout the growing process—though we are not organically certified (yet). Every plant is tended by hand, using eco-friendly, regenerative methods from seed to harvest.

We love closing the loop: spent dye plants from our studio are transformed through our worm composting system, returning as rich compost to nourish the next generation of Weld. It’s a full-circle, regenerative approach that brings even more life to our fields and colours to your work.

This listing is for dried Weld plants, shredded for your convenience. Stock is limited each year according to our small-scale approach.

Why Weld?

Weld, or Dyer’s Reseda, is one of the oldest sources of brilliant, lightfast yellow for natural dyeing. From the Mediterranean to Irish fields, this plant has coloured textiles for thousands of years. Over-dye with indigo to create historic Saxon and Lincoln greens—the legendary colours of Robin Hood’s band!

We trialled our homegrown Irish Weld against both German Weld and our standard imported Weld, and the results were clear—our Irish-grown Weld produced the strongest, most vibrant colour of all. We’re delighted to share the best results from our fields with you!

Weld is the base for many of our favourite greens. The clear yellow it yields is prized for its clarity, vibrancy, and excellent colour fastness.

Product Details

• Grown in: Co. Clare, Ireland

• From our own saved seed

• Grown to organic standards (not certified)

• Regeneratively grown using our own worm-composted dye matter

• Hand-harvested, shredded, and dried

• Sold as: Shredded dried Weld

• Limited stock

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A simple Recipe

A basic recipe for dyeing wool with Reseda:

• 50-100% Reseda (Weld) extract at 80C for one hour. (The strong yellow on the felt was  achieved with 100%)

• Add 7-10% Soda Ash

• Wool (mordanted with Alum @10%) - leave overnight.

Perfect for beginner and experienced dyers alike!

WHOLE POMEGRANATE FLOWERS (Punica granatum)
Dye Colour: Yellow | Country of Collection: India (Wild Collection)

Whole Pomegranate Flowers are a natural dye source that yields a lovely yellow colour, perfect for dyeing wool and silk. Collected from the wild in India, these flowers provide a deeper yellow hue depending on the quantity used. Though pomegranate flowers are a beautiful option for natural dyeing, their colour fastness is poor, meaning the vibrant yellow tones may fade over time. Pomegranate flowers are versatile and can also be used in soap making or consumed, adding a natural element to your crafting or culinary creations.

Colour Fastness: Poor

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio:

• 100% WOF Dye (Pomegranate Flowers): Produces a yellow colour.
• Use of higher quantities for deeper yellow or orange tones.

Basic Recipe for Yellow:

Ingredients:

• 100g Wool or Silk (mordanted with 10% Alum for 1 hour)
• 50-100g Whole Pomegranate Flowers

Instructions:

1. Soak the Pomegranate Flowers overnight in water.
2. Strain the mixture through a cloth, tie off the flowers (dye bag), and place in the dye bath.
3. Simmer the mordanted wool or silk for 1 hour.
4. Leave the fibre in the dye bath to cool (this will deepen the colour).
5. Rinse the dyed fibre and allow to dry.

Embrace the natural richness of Whole Pomegranate Flowers to create soft yellow hues in your fibre projects, perfect for sustainable crafting and eco-friendly dyeing.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

The birch tree, scientifically named Betula pendula, is a type of thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree found in the Betulaceae family. This family includes other types of trees such as alders, hazels, and hornbeams, and is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae. When using birch bark (cut), be aware that the dye colour of pink, browns, and salmon, though very pretty, can have poor to medium colour fastness.

Colour fastness: poor - medium

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Basic Recipe:

Alum (mordant) 10-15% D.W.F
Birch Bark 100-200% D.W.F

Pour boiling water over the bark and steep for 24-48h

Boil the bark for two hours and strain. Add the mordanted yarn to the bath and leave until desired colour outcome or overnight.

*You can change the colour using iron, or other shifters like soda ash or citric acid

ROSEHIP SHELLS ORGANIC CUT OR GROUND
Dye Colour: Yellow and Orange | Country of Collection: Ground from South Africa, Cut from Eastern Europe

Rosehip shells, sourced from Eastern Europe (cut) and South Africa (ground), offer a beautiful natural dye that imparts a light yellow to vibrant orange hue on protein fibres like wool and silks, depending on the quantity used. Best for protein fibres, this organic dye is also suitable for soap making and consumption, adding an eco-friendly touch to your crafting projects.

Colour Fastness: Poor to Medium

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio:

• 100% WOF Dye (Rosehip): Yields a soft yellow to orange hue.
• Dyeing with Wool or Silk: Can create deeper, richer tones when left in the dye bath to cool.

Basic Recipe for Dyeing:

Ingredients: 200g Rosehip Shells, 100g Wool or Silk (mordanted with 10% Alum)
Instructions:

1. Soak 200g Rosehip shells overnight.
2. Strain the mixture through a cloth, creating a dye bag, and place it in the dye bath.
3. Add mordanted wool or silk to the dye pot and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Let the fabric remain in the dye bath to cool, which will deepen the colour.
5. Rinse and dry.

Rosehip Shells provide a warm, earthy dye perfect for creating a natural palette in your fibre arts, offering beautiful yellow and orange hues, especially for protein fibres.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

African Tagetes Flowers
Dye Colour: Yellow and Orange | Botanical: Tagetes erecta | Grown & Dried in Ireland

Experience the joy of working with our fully dried African Tagetes flowers, which we personally produce and hand-collect in County Clare, Ireland. These vibrant yellow and orange flowers are packed with natural dye, ideal for colour extraction. While they may not be suitable for flower printing due to their bulkier size, they are perfect for adding a rich, warm tone to your dyeing projects. Limited availability – don't miss out on these unique, locally grown flowers!

Colour Fastness: Poor to Medium

Product Details:

• Quantity: 25g (approximately 15-20 flower heads)
• Grown & Dried in: County Clare, Ireland
• Perfect for: Colour extraction in dyeing projects

Mordant-Based Recipe for Wool (Hot and Cold Dyeing):

1. Ingredients:

   • 25g of African Tagetes Flowers
   • Wool fibre (100g)
   • Alum mordant (10% of the weight of the wool)

2. Instructions (Hot Dyeing):

   • Soak the Tagetes flowers overnight in water.
   • Boil the soaked flowers for 1 hour, then strain out the plant matter.
   • Add the mordanted wool to the dye bath and simmer for 1 hour.
   • Let the wool cool in the dye bath overnight for deeper colour.
   • Rinse the wool gently and let it dry.

3. Instructions (Cold Dyeing):

   • Soak the Tagetes flowers in water for at least 24 hours (preferably 48 hours) to extract the colour.
   • Strain the flowers, then add the mordanted wool to the dye bath.
   • Allow the wool to sit in the cold dye bath for 1-3 days, stirring occasionally.
   • Once satisfied with the colour, rinse the wool gently and let it dry.

Enjoy the vibrant yellow and orange hues that this locally grown Tagetes will bring to your wool fibres, whether you prefer hot or cold dyeing methods!

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

German Weld (Reseda luteola) – Dried Natural Dye Plant

Our German Weld offers clear, lightfast yellow for your natural dye projects. With a yellow dye content of 5–8%, this classic botanical dye delivers reliable, vibrant results on wool, silk, and cellulose fibres. Sourced from Germany and carefully dried, it’s a staple for every natural dyer’s studio.

Weld (Reseda luteola) is renowned for producing beautiful yellow shades and for its role in creating historic greens such as Saxon or Lincoln green (achieved by dyeing indigo first, then weld). Consistent, high-quality results every time.

Colour fastness: Excellent

Simple Recipe:
A basic recipe for dyeing wool with Reseda:

• Use 50–100% Reseda (Weld) extract at 80°C for one hour. (Strongest yellow achieved with 100%)

• Add 7–10% soda ash

• Wool mordanted with alum at 10%—leave overnight for best results

Perfect for beginner and experienced dyers alike!

• Sourced from Germany

• 5–8% yellow dye content

• Dried, cut plant material (not powdered)

• Sold by weight (kg)

• Excellent lightfastness

African Tagetes Flowers – Tagetes patula

Dye Colour: Yellow and Orange | Botanical: Tagetes patula | Grown & Dried in Ireland

Bring the warmth of summer to your fibre work with our hand-harvested African Tagetes flowers (Tagetes patula), grown and dried in County Clare, Ireland. These marigold-like blossoms yield rich yellow and orange hues ideal for natural dyeing.

Unlike Tagetes erecta, this smaller-flowered variety is more delicate in shape, making it well suited to both dye extraction and eco-printing, as well as bundle dyeing. Its accessible petal structure makes it a favourite for surface design artists - though the pressed or fresh versions would work better.

🌼 Limited availability – grown in small batches using ecological methods.

Colour Fastness:

Poor to Medium

Product Details:

• Quantity: 25g (approx. 25–35 flower heads)

• Grown & Dried in: County Clare, Ireland

• Ideal for: Colour extraction, eco-printing, surface design

Mordant-Based Recipe for Wool (Hot and Cold Dyeing)

Ingredients:

• 25g of Tagetes patula flowers

• 100g of wool fibre

• 10% alum mordant (based on fibre weight)

Hot Dyeing Instructions:

1. Soak flowers overnight in water

2. Boil for 1 hour to extract the dye, then strain

3. Add mordanted wool and simmer for 1 hour

4. Leave the wool to cool overnight in the bath for richer tones

5. Rinse gently and dry

Cold Dyeing Instructions:

1. Soak the flowers for 24–48 hours in cool water

2. Strain the flowers and add mordanted wool to the bath

3. Let sit 1–3 days, stirring occasionally

4. Rinse gently and dry when colour is achieved

Enjoy rich, locally grown colour whether you're dipping skeins or creating botanical prints.
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