DIY Cloth with flowers

RECENTLY we’ve been experimenting with the alternate uses of flowers and how we can recycle our flower waste. One fun experiment was dyeing cloth with flowers - although the results are not long lasting and will fade on washing, it’s a fun experiment to try at home! 

Also read - How to make Organic Holi colors from Flowers

INSTRUCTION FOR DYEING CLOTH WITH FLOWERS - 

Preparing the Dye:

1. Collect flowers and separate the petals
2. Put them in a non reactive vessel, then add water and simmer over a low heat for 2-3 hours.
3. Turn off the heat and let the colors cool and cover the vessel to steam the petals
4. Strain the pigments into a different bowl to separate the petals.

Preparing the cloth:

This process is called “Mordanting” the fabric. It prepares the cloth to absorb the color better and more evenly.

1. Mix a small amount of alum and cream of tartar in water and submerge your cloth in that. Cloth should be able to move freely.
2. Heat for 2-3 hours over low heat.
3. Turn off the heat and leave it overnight in a covered container.
4. Rinse the fabric next day to get rid of excess alum.

Dyeing:

1. Add your mordanted cloth to the dye bath and simmer over a low heat for 2-3 hours (or until the dye mostly evaporates)
2. Turn off the heat, cover the vessel and let it cool
3. Remove your cloth from the dye bath and let it dry. Don’t put it in direct sunlight.

You’re done! Let us know how your cloth turned out by sharing a picture with us and what you discovered along the way! 

*Note - 

This is not a long lasting dye and will fade on washing. Any exposure to detergent,Acidic/basic substances like lemon, baking soda etc will affect the pH and cause the cloth to change color.