From the class Sustainable Systems · Spring 2020

Natural Dye Experiments

Red Cabbage Natural Dye Experiment

1. One head of red cabbage was diced finely.
2. The cabbage was placed in a pot and water was added until the cabbage was submerged.
3. Two tablespoons of salt were added.
4. A splash of vinegar was added.
5. The water was heated to 220 degrees Fahrenheit and left at that temperature while occasionally being stirred.
6. After 30 minutes have elapsed the dye bath was removed from the heat.
7. The dye bath was strained to remove all solids.
8. The dye bath was split into three bowls.
9. Bowl one contained Iron Mordant and Cream of Tartar Shifter. This resulted in a bright red dye
10. Bowl two contained Alum Mordant and Soda Ash Shifter. This resulted in a bright blue dye.
11. Bowl Three contained Iron Mordant, Alum Mordant, Cream of Tartar Shifter and Soda Ash Shifter. This resulted in a dark blue almost grey dye.
12. One pair of socks was placed in bowl one.
13. One pair of socks was placed in bowl two.
14. One bundle of cleaned wool was placed in bowl three.
15. The dyes and materials were left to sit for 6 days.
16. The materials were rinsed.

Copied from my Learning Portfolio: Natural Dye Experiment (March 5, 2020).