SPIKE’S SPIKES

NATURE DYES

Session Focus Children will help to experiment with natural dyes from nature.

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ResourcesParts of plants for dyeing (see below), large pan, water, material to dye such as cotton squares/ calico, spoon, mordant (optional), fire-pit equipment for heating (optional), pestle & mortar (optional), small stone & elastic band (optional). Please ensure children are fully supervised during this task, especially if heating your dye pot. Fire-pit experience (and establishment risk assessments) should be in place before use.

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STORY BOOKS

Can you help others with this

task?

Can you create your natural dyes safely?

Can you care for the

environment when making your natural dyes?

Can you be creative with your designs?

Can you show perseverance and adapt

your techniques to improve?

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Curriculum Links

PSHEE (PSED): Chooses the resources they need for activities.Literacy: Responds to what they hear with relevant comments, questions or actions; Uses vocabulary that is influenced by their experiences.PE/ D: Shows good control in small movements.Maths: Uses everyday language to talk about size, shape, and position; Recognises creates and describes patterns.Science (UW): Makes observations of plants.Design & Technology (EAD): Explores texture and form of various materials.

Brief history of natural dyesCivilisations have been extracting colour from nature as a dye since ancient times. For example, pigments were used from Stone-Age cave paintings to Roman togas. MaterialSquares cut from a cotton sheet or calico are great to experiment with natural dyes. Material will dye best when clean and wet.PatternsYou could just place the materials into the dye pot, or experiment with tie-dye. Simply place a small stone on the centre of the material, bunch the material around it and tie it in place tightly by wrapping an elastic band around it a few times.Fixing the dyeIf desired, you could use a mordant to ‘fix’ the dye to prevent it fading. You can buy mordant in packets or use natural mordant such as rhubarb leaves or Oak galls. Mordants can be added to the dye mix.Natural dyesThe following natural dyes can be used cold, hot and combined with the material and mordant all in one for ease and less time. Heating the dye pot, such as on an outdoor fire-pit will reduce the time taken. Cold dyes need to be left overnight, whereas heating the dye pot can reduce times to 45 minutes to an hour in some cases. Leaves and bark (and berries) from the same plant can be used in separate pots to make different coloured dyes. Here are some easily accessible dyes: Birch leaves & bark; Eucalyptus leaves and bark; Cherry leaves

and bark; Oak leaves & bark; Willow leaves & bark; Elder leaves, bark & berries.

NATURE DYES

Instructions for dying with Elder

You will needA collection of Elder leaves, bark and/ or berries to half fill your pan. Pestle & mortar (optional).A large pan.Water.Spoon to stir for even dying.Cotton/ calico squares.Stone & elastic band if tie-dyeing.Fire-pit resources if heating.Mordant (optional).

Method1. Collect all of your resources ready. You can crush them if desired

separately with a pestle & mortar to activate and extract some of the natural dyes.

2. If dyeing leaves, bark & berries, put into separate pots and fill with water to half way up the pan.

3. Add your mordant if using.4. Wet the material you are dyeing throughly.5. If tie-dyeing, place your small stone in the material, bunch the

material over and wrap the elastic band around it a few times, ensuring it is tight.

6. If heating, light your fire safely and put a lid over your pan. (Do not leave it unattended.)

7. Keep stirring your mixture to ensure an even dye.8. If dyeing cold, you will have to leave over night.9. If dyeing hot, keep checking every twenty minutes or so. The

longer you leave it, the deeper the colour, but you should be able to take your material out after 45 minutes or so and see a difference.

10.When you have your desired colour, or your time is up, fish your material out with a perforated spoon and allow to cool if heated and to dry.

11. Untie any tie-dye bands carefully once dry.12.Enjoy your natural dyed material!

Once you have tried it, you could experiment with different natural

materials, hot and cold dying, different tie-dye techniques, and leaving it in the dye pot for

different lengths of times.