Weld Natural Yellow Dye
Reseda luteola · Germany · Dried and Cut
Weld is one of Europe’s most highly regarded traditional yellow dyes. It produces clear, vibrant yellows with excellent colourfastness and woad or indigo blues can be overdyed with Weld to create a beautiful range of lively greens. You can also use iron to shift it into a more subtle green.
This standard weld is grown and collected in Germany and supplied as dried, cut plant material.
At a glance
- Origin: Germany
- Botanical name: Reseda luteola
- Plant part: Dried aerial parts
- Form: Dried and cut
- Colours: Clear yellows; greens when overdyed with woad or indigo; or shifted with iron
- Fibres: Wool, silk, cotton and linen
- Mordant: Required; use a fibre-appropriate method
- Colourfastness: Excellent for a flavonoid dye when suitably mordanted, dyed and finished
A traditional European yellow dye
Weld has a long history as an important European dye plant and is valued for producing particularly clear, bright yellows.
woad or indigo blue can be overdyed weld yellow to produce greens. These layered colours are historically associated with shades such as Lincoln Green and Saxon Green.
How much to use
Use approximately:
80 - 100g weld per 100g dry fibre
Equivalent to 80 - 100% WOF - weight of dry fibre.
Weld is generous in the dye pot and often releases enough colour for a second, paler dye bath. The final shade will depend on the fibre, mordant, water chemistry, extraction and dyeing method.
Sample first when working towards a particular colour.
Basic dyeing guide
- Prepare: Scour and mordant the fibre using a suitable method, then wet it thoroughly.
- Soak: Place the weld in the dye pot with water. Add approximately 7% soda ash WOF - or enough to reach a pH of 9 - and leave to soak overnight.
- Extract: Heat the weld and extraction liquid gently for approximately one hour.
- Strain: Strain the liquid through a cloth, keeping the plant material out of the dye bath.
- Dye: Add the prepared fibre and heat gently for approximately one hour. Use enough water for the fibre to move freely.
- Finish: Allow the fibre to cool, then rinse and wash gently.
- Reuse: Use the remaining dye bath for a second batch of mordanted fibre to produce a paler yellow.
Dyeing cotton, linen or other cellulose fibres? Find suitable mordanting methods here.
Tips from the dye pot
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Use soda ash for stronger colour | Soda ash helps release the colour and can intensify the yellow. |
| Protect protein fibres | The alkalinity produced by soda ash requires particular care when working with wool and silk. Avoid a pH higher than 9, prolonged exposure and excessive heat. |
| Strain thoroughly | Keep the plant material contained in a dye bag or strain it carefully to prevent fragments becoming caught in yarn and fibre. |
| Use the exhaust bath | A second extraction or exhaust bath can often produce useful paler shades. |
| Create greens | Dye the fibre yellow with indigo or woad first, then mordant and overdye it with yellow. Or shift with iron as an after mordant. |
| Keep notes | Record the fibre, mordant, water chemistry, dye quantity, temperature and processing time. |
Colourfastness
Weld is known for its excellent lightfastness and wash fastness when suitable mordanting, dyeing and finishing methods are used.
Performance still depends on the fibre, mordant, depth of shade and aftercare. Sampling is recommended when working towards a particular result.
Storage and safe handling
- Store tightly sealed, cool and dry, away from direct sunlight.
- Do not consume or use in food, drinks, cosmetics or herbal preparations.
- Avoid creating or breathing dust.
- Prevent contact with the mouth, eyes and open wounds.
- Wear suitable protective equipment when handling dusty material.
- Wear gloves and eye protection when working with soda ash and mordants.
- Follow the safety instructions for every mordant, alkali and additive used.
- Use dedicated dyeing utensils and containers—never food-preparation equipment.
- Keep away from food, children and pets.
- For textile dyeing and craft use only - not for consumption.
What you receive
Your chosen net weight of dried, cut weld, supplied in a pouch.
Mordants, soda ash, woad, indigo and other dyeing supplies are sold separately.
Packaging
We pack as sustainably as we can while protecting your dye materials. Pouch types may vary according to pack size and the availability of our preferred lower-impact options.
Display jars are not included.
Learn with us
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