Are you dyeing? You should be!

Fabric dyeing is really fun and something everyone should try. Not only can you dye fabric to wear--T-shirts, scarves, etc.--but you can also turn dyed fabric into other pieces. Think decorative pillows, wall hangings, and more.

Dyed scarf in shades of sunset

If you're concerned that fabric dyeing is difficult, don't be. Here are easy instructions to create a DIY dyed piece using berries:

Materials:

Fabric in a variety of sizes. I used 50”x6” for my neck wraps, and 60’x15’ for shawls.Clean, dry pan.Water.Salt and distilled vinegar.Assortment of berries. I used blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries.

Instructions:

Using approximately 1 cup of berries/3 cups of water, bring berries and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer.Add salt and vinegar to help color bind.Strain boiled liquid to remove any seeds, etc.Place fabric in a large bowl and cover with dye solution.Leave in until a little darker than desired color.Rinse with cold water and squeeze out excess.Allow fabric to dry.

Tips/ideas:

*Natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen, and silk, are most absorbent.

*When using synthetic fabrics, you may need to leave them in your dye solution for longer for color to adhere.

*Experiment with a mix of fruits/veggies for greater color saturation and selections.

Color suggestions:

Blackberries= purple

Raspberries/strawberries = red/pink

Blueberries = blue