About the Recipes

The Alchemist's Color Codex

The Dry Weight Method

A Final Note: Many of the first samples I am adding to this site will have minimal notations as I was a mad Alchamist at the time, not known for measurements. As new colors are added, more detailed records are being kept. Please understand this will be a slow process. It is my goal to remove old colors with minimal notes for more comprehensive ones over time.

Additional Notations

This website is not designed to teach the basics of natural dyeing but rather record the results of many recipes. You can learn the basics of natural dyeing, working with stains, and pigments from many books, websites, YouTube videos, local workshops, and online classes. The recipes presented here are minimal without detailed instructions.

All the recipes here, when provided, will use the dry weight method. Most natural dye recipes use “dry weight” as the method of calculation to find the right amount of ingredients. The term refers to the dry weight of the material to be colored, abbreviated as DWOFF.

What is the dry weight of your material to be dyed?

Measure the dry weight of the mordant as a percentage of the dry weight of your fabric (for example 15% mordant to dry weight of your fabric to be dyed).

Measure the dye as a percentage of the dry weight of your fabric (for example 100% or equal weight dye/fabric).

I've sometimes included notations on relevant details including but not limited to:

Light-fast (will it fade in sunlight)
Wash-fast (will it fade with washing or friction)
Poisonous or toxic
Edible or inedible
Is this an invasive plant and if yes, where
Local dye/stain/pigment names to its natural range not just the most common western name. Some historic names too.
Scientific name
What to forage
When to forage
Fabric shown
Mordants used
pH if relevant
pH modifiers if used
Color extraction method
Cook times

Abbreviations:

AKA - Also Know As
DWOF - Dry Weight Of Fabric or Fiber
Numbers & Letters before DYE NAME on FABRIC - my tracking system. Pay no mind to the spreadsheet behind the curtain.