Incorporating color into your style is an excellent way to make your outfit shine. One color that can never go wrong is yellow. With the right shade, it can add a pop to your style and elevate your outfit from mundane to show-stopping. However, buying an entire wardrobe of yellow clothing can be expensive. Luckily, you can create your own yellow dye at home and brighten up your wardrobe. In this article, we’ll take you through every step of making yellow dye so that you can add some color to your style.
How to make Yellow Dye from Plants
The Types of Plants to Use
Before debunking how to make yellow dye from plants, it’s important to understand the plants that you need. The good news is that you can use various plant matters that are easily available. Plants that are ideal for yellow dye include:
- Marigold
- Dandelion
- Turmeric
- Saffron
- Goldenrod
The Color Shades to Expect
One of the best things about creating yellow dye from natural plants is that the color shade depends on the strength of the dye. As expected, the stronger the dye, the more intense the color shade. However, it’s important to note that factors such as the quality and type of plant material, water quality and heat application contribute to the final outcome. Here’s a color shade guide:
| Dye Strength | Color Tone |
|---|---|
| Mild | Pale yellow |
| Medium | Yellow |
| Strong | Deep Yellow |
The Process
The process of making natural yellow dye isn’t complicated, but it often requires patience. To create vibrant yellow dye from natural plants:
- Collect plant matter. Cut up the selected plants into small pieces to expose more surface to allow for the pigments to be released.
- Place the plants in a large pot and add water. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. It would help if you remembered to use an appropriate amount of water. The more water you use, the weaker the dye strength will be.
- After an hour, remove the plants from the pot and allow the liquid dye to cool.
- After cooling, strain the liquid to remove any remaining plant matter. You can use a cheesecloth, coffee filter, or sieve if you don’t want the plant materials to remain in the dye.
- Now your yellow dye is ready. You can store it in a glass jar or use it immediately. If there is excess, you can freeze the dye.
How to make Yellow Dye from Powder
The Types of Yellow Powder Dye
When it comes to getting the perfect yellow shade, dye powders are the easiest way to go. There are various types of powdered dyes in the market, and the choice depends on the color shade you want and what item you want to dye. The common types of yellow dye powders include:
- Turmeric Powder
- Yellow Madder Root Powder
- Onion Skin Powder
- Marigold Flower Powder
The Process
Making yellow dye from powder is often quicker and less complicated than natural dye. Powdered dye:
- Fill a large pot with hot water, and add the dye powder of your choice.
- Stir thoroughly until the dye powder fully dissolves in the water.
- Add the cloth item that you want to dye into the pot containing the dye. Note that it would help if you stir the clothes consistently to get an even color.
- Allow enough time for the item to soak in the dye. The longer you leave it, the deeper the color. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended time length to let the clothes soak.
- Once you remove the item from the dye, rinse it under cold water while removing excess dye. Then, gently wash it with soap and water, and hang it to dry.
- Your Yellow-dyed item is now ready to go back to your wardrobe collection.
Tips to Improve Your Yellow Dyeing
Tips for Natural Dye
If you opt to use natural plant materials when creating your yellow dye, here are some quick tips to keep in mind:
- Use high-quality plants for your dye. The fresher the plant, the higher the chance of getting a vibrant dye color.
- Use soft water. Hard water contains minerals that reduce dye extraction, leading to a weaker color output.
- Do not over boil the dye, as boiling can destroy the dye pigments.
- Pre-wash your fabric before dyeing.
- Be patient when simmering the dye to get a deep and robust color outcome.
Tips for Powder Dye
For powdered dyes, the following tips can come in handy to produce bright colors:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter to get the perfect color shade.
- Ensure that you stir the fabric consistently to avoid uneven color application.
- After dyeing, wash the fabric separately to avoid any dye transfer to other clothes.
- Wear rubber gloves to avoid staining your hands.
Conclusion
Creating your yellow dye can be a fun and rewarding experience while offering you the opportunity to rock your custom clothing. Take your pick on your preferred dye method and follow the guidelines to get that yellow color that you’ll enjoy showing off. Good Luck!
FAQs
- What color goes well with yellow? – Colors that pair well with yellow include green, orange, pink, purple, and black.
- How long does the yellow dye last? – Natural dyes tend to fade with time, soap, and sunlight, while powdered dye tends to last longer.
- How much dye should I use for a pound of fabric? – The amount of dye to use depends on the strength of the color shade you want and the type of dye. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for powdered dye, while, for natural dye, use one part of plant material for every three parts of fabric, and adjust accordingly.
References
- https://www.contrado.com/blog/natural-dyeing-at-home/
- https://theskilledcrafter.com/natural-dye-color-chart/
- https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/how-to-dye-clothes-with-turmeric/
- https://blog.jennasuedesign.com/2015/03/diy-natural-turmeric-dye-for-fabric/