About this Product
These dried Marigolds are grown in my home garden with no chemicals. These flowers were grown for the purpose of using them to dye fabric in my home studio. I dye cellulose (cotton) fabrics but marigold dye can also be used on silk and wool (protein fibers). The photos in this listing show items I have dyed with these flowers this summer. One of the photos shows several shades of color obtained by continuing to use the dye bath several times to exhaustion. The color becomes lighter giving you a whole range of color value from one vat of dye! Wonderful to use in your projects!
All fibers should be scoured, tannin and mordant applied BEFORE using the marigold dye for best color and to increase the retention of color over time.
Marigold dye is very simple to prepare. Place dried marigolds in stainless steel pan, pour hot water over the flowers and heat very gently for about 30 min. You will see color coming from the flowers almost immediately. If you are dyeing fibers in skeins, it is best to strain the flower pieces out before adding your fiber. If you are dyeing yardage or clothing, you can use the dye without straining if you desire. Leave the fibers in the dye for 30 minutes to overnight depending on how bright or deep of a color you prefer. The color will lighten as it dries. The color can also be modified with a small amount of iron (ferrous oxide) to create green.
These marigolds can also be used in bundle dyeing or eco dyeing if you prefer. Gently pull the dried flower petals from the flower head and sprinkle over your cloth. Using several flower types or leaves is always great fun and adds to the color and texture of your finished fabric.
This listing is for 50 grams of dried marigold dye ONLY - none of the completed products shown in the photos will be included. They will be mailed by USPS. Will only sell within the USA.
Joyce Leatherwood
Meet the Maker
I first encountered clay on the slippery creek beds of my childhood. I sculpted many cats out of the muddy clay and let them dry in the sun. In high school, I happened upon a pottery shop and was enthralled watching a potter on the potter's wheel. In college, I tried lots of courses but always ended up in the ceramics studio where I eventually earned a BFA degree in ceramics and took lots of sculpture courses as well. While raising kids and moving around the world for my husband's job, I was always drawn back to clay whenever possible. I began teaching elementary art and earned a Master's Degree in Education. Teaching art was a fantastic way of immersing myself in many artistic endeavors and mediums. At this time, I also began working in natural dyeing and textiles with an emphasis on hand embroidery. It is always the texture of textiles and/or clay that intrigues me the most. I am inspired by nature as is evident in the motifs and images on both pottery, sculptures, as well as stitched works of art I currently create. Once retiring and moving to Richmond, VA, I have my own clay studio once again. Learning and re-learning with clay is a never ending adventure which I am thoroughly enjoying.
How it’s Made
All of the flowers are grown in my personal gardens without the use of any pesticides. I hand pick them and dry them. They are wonderful for dyeing on cloth which has been prepared with mordant to accept and retain the beautiful colors of nature.
Shop Policies
Please contact me if there is a problem with your order! I want you to be happy with your purchase. If necessary, returns and exchanges accepted within 30 days, buyer is responsible for return shipping costs.
