Making a Natural Dye Bath

These are the basic instructions to make a simple dye bath! There are always variations to any process, but this is the easiest way I have found to prepare a botanical dye bath. This can be used for fabrics, leather, or paper.

This dye bath uses avocado skins and seeds, but the same process can be used for other plant material, such as eucalyptus leaves, oak leaves and acorns, onion skins (especially brown), marigolds, coffee, rosemary, tea, and more.

Materials Needed:

• Large pot or slow cooker (These cannot be used for food preparation after this)

• Avocado skins and/or seeds (These can be saved in the freezer until ready for use_

• Cheese cloth or towel for straining

• Large bowl or pot, also for straining

• Water

Instructions:

• Prepare the avocado plant material for dye:

  • For both seeds and skins, rinse 2-3 times to remove If using avocado skins, rinses 2-3 times to clean out any remaining flesh, then chop or tear into pieces.

  • If using seeds, rinse

• Add the avocado material to the pot or slow cooker.

  • Note: using only avocado skins will yield more orange undertones; only seeds will yield blush tones. Together will also provide rich colors.

• Add water until the avocados are covered.

  • Note: The skins/seeds can be soaked for a day or two, prior to preparations. This is not necessary, but can yield stronger results.

• If using a pot on a stove top, allow the dye bath to come to a simmer; avoiding boiling, as it will degrade the color. Let it sit overnight.

• If using a slow cooker, turn on “Low” or even “Warm,” depending on the intensity of the cooker. I have found one of my slow cookers can be brought up to “low,” and then needs to be lowered to “Warm.” Let that go overnight, or even for a few days. The color will develop even more.

• If using seeds, check a few hours into the soak. They should have softened enough to be lightly mashed with a fork, which will release more color.

• After the bath is finished, strain through the cheesecloth or towel.

• Your dye bath is now ready!

  • Check out this tutorial to learn how to dye watercolor greeting cards!