This years goldenrod dye pot

We have been dying things with goldenrod for a few years. Every year around Michaelmas every field, roadside, and neglected patch of land bursts with brilliant yellow as the goldenrod blooms. Goldenrod is a superb dye stuff. It can give shades of lemon yellow to deep gold, and even olive green with the addition of iron. Last year we dyed golden silk capes.  They have been washed numerous times and are still a brilliant yellow, so it is a very colorfast dye. This year we dyed about 15 yards of cotton muslin, some felted shooting star balls, a white dress that had been lightly stained,  a cotton velour hoodie, and some leggings. Everything turned out beautifully. 

I had 2 pots, one with goldenrod & alum, the other goldenrod, alum, and rusty nails. The nails put iron into the mix, and changed the PH to get the lovely olive green shade. I did a post about how to dye with goldenrod last year.     What I did to get the green is a bit different from what I posted last year. This year I had 2 pots of steeped goldenrod. One pot I put the rusty nails in, the other I left with just goldenrod & water.  I dyed all of my yellow stuff after I added the alum to one pot, and then mixed in the  alum/goldenrod water into the goldenrod/nails water. That is what gave the nice olive green. This will save you alum, which is not really expensive, but it will save you a couple of bucks. Goldenrod can also be dried for later use.

 

 

I give you a cape of golden light: a silk cape tutorial

We made a simple, but very lovely cape from the silk scarf we dyed with goldenrod flowers. Here is a mini-tute on how to do it.

I give to you a cape of golden light, to give you courage, strength, & might.

  

Natural dying with goldenrod

Dying with found, natural materials is one of the most fun, & least expensive activities you can do. This time of year goldenrod is plentiful in most parts of the country, and is easily obtained. Gathering the golden flowers was a wonder filled nature walk activity. To make golden yellow dye from goldenrod all you need is a pound or 2 of goldenrod flowers, and a few tablespoons of alum. Alum can be found at almost all grocery stores in the spice isle.