Natural Dye Extract Kit - Powder

Sorry, this has been discontinued. 

Five natural dye extracts plus alum and cream of tartar. The perfect starter kit for those who want to try an easy introduction to natural dyes. Each extract is in a concentrated, easy to mix powder or liquid and comes with complete instructions.

The kit will dye approximately 2-4 pounds of natural fibers.

The kit includes:

• Lac - approx. 1/4 oz. 
• Logwood - approx. 1/4 oz.
• Cutch - approx. 1 oz.
• Fustic - approx. 1.4 oz. (in a jar)
• Saxon Blue - approx. 1/2 oz. (in a bottle)
• Alum - approx. 3.5 oz.
• Cream of Tartar - approx. 1/4 oz.
• Packaged in a in tubed box

*Please note there might be a substitution Cochineal for Lac.*

To view our other natural dyes sold individually click here.

Detailed information:

Saxon Blue liquid indigo : a striking, easy to use blue from the indigo plant, this recipe dates to 1740. Works best on wool fibers, and satisfactorily on silk; however we have, on occasion, observed color instability on silk fabrics. On cellulose fibers the color will be quite pale and unstable.

Cutch
Cutch (Acacia catechu) is the rich reddish brown color seen in Indian textiles. It is sweet smelling in the dye bath and yields rich red browns with long cooking times. Cutch and an alum mordant will be golden yellow-brown and requires a two hour simmer to develop its deepest shades; the addition of 10% hydrogen peroxide or 2% dissolved soda ash in the dyebath will dramatically deepen the color. Cutch combined with iron will yield a lovely chocolate brown. 4 oz. of Cutch extract will dye approximately 1.1 pound of fiber to a dark shade.

Fustic (liquid)
Fustic (Chlorophora tinctoria) is high in tannic acid, which makes it an ideal cotton dye; in fact, it was used in the military to dye the color khaki during World War I. On cotton, it will dye a clear gold and on silk and wool it will dye a warm gold. Fustic also provides a good base for other colors: overdyed with indigo for green; combined with madder and cochineal to make oranges; and mixed with logwood or with iron to produce olive greens. Use at 1-10% for bright to rich gold. 1.5 oz. of Fustic extract will dye approximately 1.5 pounds of fiber a medium gold shade. Fustic is thick and tends to get sticky when cold; it flows best when it's at 80 degrees or slightly warmer. If it gets cold and thickens, place the bottle in a warm area and it will pour easily. We do not recommend microwaving it, but another option is to put the bottle in a warm water bath.

Lac
Lac (Laccifer lacca) extract comes from a scale insect and the deep red colorant is extracted from a hard resinous crude shellac before it can be successfully used as a dye. The resin is known as shellac, and is used for lacquer and as a protective covering for wood. Lac is an affordable alternative to obtain pinks, purples, and burgundy reds on protein fibers using an alum mordant. You will need a small amount of citric acid to use with lac. 2 oz. of lac extract will dye approximately 1.1 pounds to a dark shade.

Logwood
Logwood Extract - (Haematoxylum campechianum) originates from the Yucatan region of Mexico and is naturalized throughout Central America. It yields a rich, deep purple which was used as a base for the desirable dark purple and black colors of European royalty. Logwood by itself is not particularly lightfast, so keep from bright sunlight. With added iron, its lightfastness increases and the color darkens. 2 oz. of Logwood extract will dye approximately 4.5 pounds of fiber to a dark shade.