Step Into A World of Natural Colour

Welcome to the enchanting world of beginner-friendly natural dyeing—a timeless art that turns humble plants into a rainbow of vibrant, lasting colours. Imagine creating something unique and beautiful using simple natural materials. From kitchen scraps like pomegranate rinds or onion skins to foraged blooms like marigold flowers, the possibilities are endless and deeply rewarding.

If you’ve ever dreamed of crafting your own colourful palette while connecting to the natural world, now is the perfect time to start. This ancient craft offers creativity and a sense of mindfulness and wonder, allowing you to slow down and appreciate the beauty hidden in the world around you.

Mark your calendars! On January 13th, enrollment opens for my Foundations in Natural Dyeing course—a journey designed to help you unlock the secrets of plant-based colour and create stunning works of art. Get ready to step into a world of creativity and inspiration while immersing yourself in nature’s stunning palette.

Beginner-Friendly Natural Dye Sources to Explore

Avocado Pits & Skins:

• Overview: A great first dye source, creating soft pinks and blush tones. Enrol in my free mini-course and learn how to create stunning shades of pink naturally!
• Tip: Freeze avocado pits until you have enough to dye with.

Onion Skins:

• Overview: Yellow and red onion skins yield warm golden yellows to rich browns. See my tutorial on naturally dyeing with onion skins for more instructions.
• Tip: Separate the colours for consistent results and save your peels over time. Lay the skins out to dye and save the skins in a brown paper bag to avoid mould.

Vibrant Plants from Nature

Pomegranate Rinds:

• Overview: A versatile dye for ochre and greys when modified with iron.
• Tip: Simmer rinds gently to extract colour without over-darkening the dye bath. Do not boil.

Marigold Flowers:

• Overview: A cheerful, accessible plant yielding sunny yellows and warm oranges.
• Tip: Use fresh or dried blooms for consistent, vibrant results. Consider gathering and drying blooms in summer to use in the darker months of winter.

Tips for Starting Your Natural Dye Journey

The Basics You’ll Need

1. A non-reactive pot (e.g., stainless steel or enamel).
2. Pre-washed fibres or fabric ready for dyeing.
3. A mordant to help bind the colour to the fibres.
4. Your chosen dye plant material.

To learn more about mordants and what they are, see my recent article on the subject.

The Simple 5-Step Process

The steps for successful beginner-friendly natural dyeing:

1. Clean Your Fiber: Remove any residues for an even colour.
2. Mordant Your Fiber: Lay the foundation for long-lasting hues.
3. Extract Your Dye: Simmer plants to release their natural pigments.
4. Dye Your Fiber: Immerse and let the magic happen.
5. Modify & Expand: Experiment with natural modifiers like iron or lemon juice.

Sneak Peek: What You’ll Learn in the Course

• Mastering the Basics: In-depth, step-by-step guidance, from scouring to mordanting, making dye baths, modifying and dyeing your fibre.
• Natural Dye & Colour Sourcing: From traditional dye plants to foraged dyes, learn where to look & what to avoid for vibrant sources of robust natural colour.
• Unlocking Colour Potential: Learn how to expand your palette and get multiple hues from a single dye bath.
• Advanced Techniques: Experiment with layering colours and achieving nuanced tones.
• Access to a Community: Engage with like-minded creatives and share your journey.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of natural dyeing, unsure where to begin, or frustrated by inconsistent results, the Foundations in Natural Dyeing course is here to change that. Enrollment opens on January 13th, and it’s your chance to transform how you approach natural colour and your creative practice.

This step-by-step program is a proven process that helps novice dyers, hobbyists, textile artists, quilters, and natural colour enthusiasts achieve stunning, consistent, and long-lasting colours—without wasting time or enduring hours of frustration. Whether you’re a beginner or ready to elevate your skills, the course offers a clear roadmap that takes the guesswork out of the process.

Through expert guidance and practical techniques, you’ll learn how to work with plants to unlock a vibrant palette of natural colours while gaining the confidence to create colour and dye your textiles. Imagine turning everyday plants into extraordinary, stunning hues and dyeing anything you want in any colour you choose, in a matter of weeks—it’s all within reach with Foundations in Natural Dyeing.

Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what one of my past students shared:

For years, I have wanted to start experimenting with natural dyeing, being fascinated by how plants, minerals, and even the earth beneath us could transform fabric. Yet, I worried about the complexity—how would I get it right? It felt like there were so many variables, so much to learn, that I wasn’t sure where to begin. Then, I came across Kathryn Davey’s course on natural dyeing.

Kathryn’s approach was warm, welcoming, and full of expertise. She took something that felt intimidating and transformed it into a step-by-step process, guiding me with patience and clarity. Through her course, I learned how to harness colors from plants and roots and fell even deeper in love with the possibilities of natural dyeing. Kathryn has this gift for making the craft approachable, and with her guidance, I began to believe that I could make this art form my own.” — Marleen van Haaften, course graduate

Your Natural Dyeing Journey Awaits

Natural dyeing is more than a craft—it’s a transformative journey that connects you to nature, unlocks your creativity, and allows you to turn everyday plants & fibres into stunning works of art. With the proper guidance and tools, you can achieve vibrant, consistent, and long-lasting colours that tell a story of beauty and sustainability.

Enrollment for my signature course, Foundations in Natural Dyeing, opens Monday, January 13th. Don’t miss this opportunity to master the art of natural dyeing with confidence, ease, and expert support.

Take the first step toward a fulfilling and creative journey. Click here to join the waitlist or mark your calendar to enrol. A world of stunning natural colour is waiting for you!