Free Fabric Dying Workshop

🎨 Join Us for a Free Garden Tie-Dye Party! 🌿

Come celebrate creativity and sustainability at our Garden Tie-Dye Party an exciting hands on event where you’ll transform your own items using natural dyes made straight from the garden! Bring your white t-shirts, scarves, or any fabric items you’d like to refresh with beautiful, earth-friendly colors.

🌸 Date: Saturday March 29, 2025

🌻 Time: 1pm

🌱 Location: Community Garden at 203 Browning Ave Altoona, Pennsylvania 16602

We’ll provide all the natural dyes, made from plants like turmeric, beets, berries, and marigolds. You’ll learn simple tie-dye techniques and discover how these vibrant colors come from the earth. It’s a great chance to enjoy a fun, free afternoon with friends and family while exploring the magic of garden grown dyes.

No experience needed—just bring your items to dye and we’ll supply the rest! Snacks and refreshments will be available, along with a guided tour of the plants in the garden. We invite you to join the club. We're are always looking for volunteers to help us make Blair County beautiful.

Please note that there are no restroom facilities on site. And please dress appropriately for the weather.

🌿 Free Admission – Everyone is welcome!

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more info, contact ecotopianearthcare@gmail.com

Dyeing fabric with plants is a sustainable and eco-friendly practice that offers numerous benefits. Unlike synthetic dyes, which often contain toxic chemicals and contribute to environmental pollution, plant-based dyes are non-toxic, biodegradable, and derived from renewable resources. This method reduces waste by repurposing everyday materials like onion skins and avocado pits, and it connects us to ancient traditions and the natural world. Natural dyes produce rich, earthy tones that are unique and evolve beautifully over time, offering a creative, hands-on process that fosters mindfulness and appreciation for craftsmanship. Additionally, they are safer for sensitive skin and promote waste reduction, while also supporting local farmers and artisans who cultivate dye plants. Overall, natural dyeing provides a healthier, more sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes, with a lower environmental impact and a deeper connection to nature.

Natural fibers generally work best for dyeing with plant-based dyes, as they absorb and hold onto the pigments more effectively than synthetic fibers. Here are some of the best fabrics for plant dyeing: Cotton, Linen, Wool, Silk, Hemp.

Different plants yield a wide range of natural colors when used for dyeing fabrics. Here are some common plants and the colors they produce:

Yellows and Oranges:

Turmeric: Bright yellow, Onion skins (yellow variety): Yellow to orange, Marigold flowers: Golden yellow to orange, Dandelion flowers: Pale yellow, Goldenrod: Bright yellow, St. John’s Wort: Light yellow

Reds and Pinks:

Madder root: Red, pink, and orange shades, Avocado pits and skins: Soft pink to peachy reds, Cochineal (a type of insect, but used like plants): Bright red to pinks, Strawberries: Light pink (but not very colorfast), Beetroot: Reddish pink (fades easily)

Blues and Purples:

Indigo: Deep blue (one of the few plants that produce true blue), Red cabbage: Purples and blues (depending on the pH level), Black beans: Light blue to gray, Elderberries: Purple or lavender, Blackberries: Purple (fades over time)

Browns:

Walnut hulls: Deep brown, Acorns: Brown, Coffee grounds: Brown, Tea leaves: Tan to light brown, Pomegranate peels: Light brown to yellow

Greens:

Spinach: Light green (though not very colorfast), Dock leaves: Green, Nettles: Light green, Mint: Soft green (less intense), Greys and Blacks, Iris root: Black or deep gray (with iron as a mordant), Rusty nails with vinegar: Gray to black (using iron as a mordant), Logwood: Black to grayish-purple (typically enhanced with iron)

The process of dyeing fabric with plants involves a few key steps:

1. Prepare the Fabric: First, wash the fabric to remove any dirt or finishes. Then, mordant the fabric by simmering it in a solution (like alum or vinegar) to help the dye bond better with the fibers.

2. Extract the Dye: Gather the plant material (such as onion skins, marigolds, or avocado pits) and simmer it in water for about 30-60 minutes until the water is richly colored. Strain out the plant material, leaving the dye liquid.

3. Dye the Fabric: Place the pre-mordanted fabric in the dye bath. Let it soak for several hours or overnight, stirring occasionally to ensure even coloring.

4. Rinse and Set the Dye: Once the fabric reaches the desired color, remove it from the dye bath, rinse it in cold water until the water runs clear, and then hang it to dry. Some people soak the fabric in a salt or vinegar solution to help set the color further. Mordants like alum, iron, or vinegar are often used to help the dye bind to the fabric and improve colorfastness.

Plant dyes tend to be more muted than synthetic dyes, so expect softer, earthier colors unless using rich plant sources like indigo or cochineal.

WILD ONES; connecting people and native plants for a healthy planet.

You can make a difference. Together, we are transforming yards, gardens, community spaces, and natural areas into vibrant havens for native plants and wildlife. Make an impact in your community by Installing a pollinator garden Building a rain garden or pond to mitigate stormwater runoff and provide wildlife habitat. Planting native trees and shrubs for birds. Introducing native plants into an existing flowerbed. Reducing and replacing non-native turf Sharing what you learn and grow with others. Advocating for change in policies and practices.

"The cost of increasing native plants in our suburban landscapes is small and the benefits are immense." - Doug Tallamy Entomologist, Ecologist, Conservationist & Wild Ones Lifetime Honorary Director

Native plants promote biodiversity. A healthy planet relies on native plants. Over thousands of years, wild plants have grown naturally, adapting to each region's unique environmental conditions. Native plants have several benefits. Have adapted to thrive in your region's soil and weather conditions. Restore a healthy environment and create wildlife habitat. Have deep roots which slow down stormwater and improve water quality while reducing erosion, carbon, and excess nutrients. Need no fertilizer or extra watering once established. Act as natural pest controls and reduce the need for pesticides. Provide quality food and shelter for birds and wildlife. Native plants and natural landscapes thriving in every community. Joining Wild Ones not only supports our mission but also offers a range of exclusive benefits to our members. Connect with fellow members and experts in the field, expanding your network and fostering collaborations. From local seed collection initiatives to national webinars. Wild Ones provides numerous opportunities to share tips, resources, and success stories with like-minded individuals.

Gain access to both national and local newsletters and our active social media groups to stay updated on the latest news. events, and conservation efforts within the organization. Take advantage of our diverse range of workshops, hands-on activities. garden tours, and community projects. As a member, your voice determines the direction of the movement. Participate In Board of Directors nominations and elections, ensuring that your values and priorities are represented at the highest level.