Posted by Miriam Splett
on April 21, 2025
Start your plant-dye journey with simple, beautiful, and beginner-friendly ideas.
Colouring with Nature Begins Here
There’s something deeply grounding about creating your own colour. Watching plants release their pigments into water, transforming fabric with subtle, living hues.
If you're just beginning your natural dye journey, welcome. This guide is a gentle entry point. No complicated equipment. No steep learning curves. Just a few ingredients, a little time, and a curiosity to create with nature.
Whether you're dyeing fabric scraps, refreshing old clothes, or crafting gifts, these beginner projects are a beautiful way to start.
Why Choose Natural Dyes?
Natural dyes are made from plants - roots, bark, flowers, fruit skins - used for thousands of years to colour cloth. Unlike synthetic dyes, which rely on chemicals and heavy metals, botanical dyes are biodegradable, safe for sensitive skin, and kinder to the earth.
WildHue’s single-ingredient dye powders take this one step further:
• Certified organic botanicals
• Clean, vibrant pigments
• Easy to dissolve and use
• No toxins, no fillers - just pure plant colour
They’re ideal for both beginners and experienced dyers who care about quality and sustainability.
5 Easy Projects to Try at Home
1. Dye a Cotton Tote Bag
A classic starter project. Tote bags are small, easy to handle, and the results are instantly satisfying.
- Soak your tote in a warm water mordant (like alum).
- Mix a dye bath with WildHue’s natural dye's, for example with golden harvest or burnt velvet
- Let it soak, then rinse and dry. That’s it.
Tip: Use a scrap piece of cotton first to test your colour strength.
2. Create Botanical-Dyed Gift Wrap
Ditch the paper. Use squares of upcycled cotton or linen and dye them for reusable wrapping cloths (inspired by Japanese furoshiki).
- Fold, tie, or dip different corners for natural ombré effects.
- Wrap, tie with string, and gift with love.
3. Naturally Dye a Pillowcase
A simple way to bring colour to your sleep space.
- Submerge in your dye bath, then hang to dry.
- Bonus: Pair with Ethical Bedding’s eucalyptus sheets for a completely natural sleep ritual.
4. Make a Set of Dyed Napkins
An elegant, practical project. Perfect for hosting or everyday beauty.
- Cut fabric into napkin-sized squares.
- Try hibiscus for pink tones or onion skins for warm yellows.
- Use shibori (folding and binding) techniques for patterns.
5. Botanical Tie-Dye T-Shirt
Bring nature into your wardrobe, the fun way.
- Choose an organic cotton tee.
- Tie or scrunch areas to create patterns.
- Colour it with one of Wild Hue's natural Dyes
- Rinse, dry, and wear your creation.
WildHue’s Beginner-Friendly Approach
Every WildHue powder is single-ingredient and designed for ease:
- Dissolves easily in warm water
- Doesn’t require industrial equipment
- Backed by science and tradition
Our powders are pure, potent, and sourced with respect - so even your very first dye project can be infused with beauty and integrity.
Quick Start Tips for Beginners
- Natural fibres like cotton, linen, or silk are optimal for longer-lasting colour
- Test colours on small swatches before dyeing a full item
- Dry in the shade to preserve vibrancy
- Document your results - natural dyeing is as much art as science
FAQ
What is the easiest plant dye to start with?
Golden Harvest is beginner-friendly, vibrant, and hard to mess up. It gives a cheerful yellow and doesn’t need precise temperatures.
Can I dye synthetic fabrics?
Natural dyes work best on natural fibres like cotton, linen, silk, or eucalyptus. Synthetic fabrics won't absorb the colour well.
How do I make the colour darker or richer?
Use more dye powder or soak the fabric for longer. Layering multiple dye baths can also create deeper shades.
Is natural dyeing messy?
Not if you're prepared. Cover your surfaces, wear gloves, and keep it simple. Most spills are just… colour waiting to happen.
A Beautiful Beginning
Every colour you create with plants tells a story - of slowness, of intention, of connection to the earth. You don’t need perfection. Just a little curiosity, a quiet afternoon, and the willingness to try.
So go on - steep a dye bath, dip a cloth, and let nature guide your hand.
