Natural Dyeing

As a forest school teacher, one of the greatest joys I experience is watching the children discover that the natural world is something we can create with. There is such wonder in finding colour hidden in the most unexpected places such as tree bark, nettles, and alkanet root. Natural dyeing has become one of my favourite ways to help children and adults and myself connect with nature.

Would you think that brown-beige avocado stones could produce the most beautiful soft shade of pink? Or that eucalyptus leaves create warm orange tones, black beans can produce a deep blue, and onion skins leave behind a delicate maroon to earthy green shades? Nature has an incredible colour palette waiting to be discovered if we're willing to slow down and take a closer look.

Being able to take what is already around us and transform it into something better always feels deeply satisfying. Whether it's giving an old linen towel a new lease of life or refreshing a well-loved cotton T-shirt, natural dyeing helps us to live more sustainably while getting creative. Instead of throwing away your stained or faded garments and food waste, use it!

What I've learnt on my natural dye journey

Over time, a few lessons have stayed with me:

• Understand the fibre you're working with. Natural fibres like cotton, linen, wool and silk all behave differently
• Wash your fabric thoroughly before dyeing, ideally with ph-neutral soap ( clean fibres absorb colour much more evenly)
• Use the right mordant if you dye garments to improve colour fastness
• Look closely at what nature offers. There is so much plant material to forage (responsibly) and experiment with!
• Don't be afraid to play with different quantities, timings and combinations. Exploring depth and shade is one of the most rewarding parts of the process

A Wonderful Place to Start with Kids: Your Spice Cupboard 

If you're introducing children to natural dyeing, turmeric is one of the easiest and most exciting resources to begin.

It creates the most vibrant sunshine-yellow almost instantly, making it perfect for younger children who love seeing quick results. Fair warning though, it is messy. Expect yellow fingers but plenty of laughter. Dress children and yourself in old clothes and ideally do it outside if you can.

Mix a few tablespoons of turmeric into a pan of warm water, stir well and add damp natural fabric. Leave it to soak until you're happy with the colour, then rinse gently in cool water and hang to dry (not in direct sun). It's wonderfully simple and a great introduction to the magic of natural dyes. However, because it is a ‘fugitive dye’,  the bright colour is not permanent and will fade over time, simply refresh it every few months when needed.

Dyeing with Avocado Skins and Stones

One of my absolute favourite natural dyes comes from something most of us throw away.

You'll need:

• The skins and stones from 4-6 avocados. I save mine up in the freezer!
• A stainless steel pan (avoid aluminium) and wooden spoon
• Natural fibre fabric (cotton, linen, silk or wool)
• Water
• A sieve

Note: Even though you're using natural ingredients, it's a good idea to have a pan and sieve just for dyeing - once they've been used for natural dyes, they shouldn't go back into the kitchen cupboard! 

Preparing your fabric

Start by washing your fabric well to remove any oils or finishes that might stop the dye from soaking in evenly. For some natural dyes, soak your fabric in a mordant bath overnight. I use Aluminium Acetate, but soya milk does the trick, too. Avocado stones are naturally rich in tannin and don't need the mordant bath. Keep the fabric damp before placing it into the dye bath.

Making the dye

Place the avocado skins and stones into a large pan and cover generously with water.

Bring to a gentle simmer and leave for around one to two hours. You'll notice the water gradually turning a rich rosy colour.

Strain out the avocado pieces.

Dyeing your fabric

Dip the damp fabric into the dye and make sure it is completely covered and has enough space to float. Use a wooden spoon to spread the fabric evenly through the dye. 

Keep the pan on a very gentle heat for another hour, moving the fabric occasionally.

For deeper pinks, leave the fabric to cool in the dye bath overnight. This waiting is often where the magic happens.

Finally, rinse gently in cool water until the water runs mostly clear and hang your fabric to dry away from direct sunlight.

Every batch is different. Water, fabric, avocado variety and even the season can all influence the final colour. That's part of the beauty, no two pieces are ever exactly the same.

Why Natural Dye?

Natural dyes help us act more sustainably and reconnect with nature. They're gentler on our skin, kinder to our homes and to the environment than many synthetic dyes.

In my forest school sessions, I see how this simple activity invites children to slow down, observe, ask questions and become curious. They begin to see plants differently. Waste becomes a resource and colour becomes something to explore rather than buy.

So why not gather your children, save those avocado stones, or start with a spoonful of wonderfully messy turmeric and go on a journey of experimenting, playing and learning together. 

Be in awe of the unexpected colours, imperfections and abundance of nature. You may find, as I have, that natural dyeing isn't just about changing the colour of fabric, it's also about changing the way we see and interact with the natural world around us.