PURPLES AND VIOLETS
Motnyk picks wild blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries,
but store-bought ones work just as well. 1. In stockpot, simmer
cloth in a solution of 1 cup salt to 6 cups water for 1 hour.
Let cool and wring out. 2. In clean stockpot, mix berries (any
combination) with wate r, using a ratio of 2 cups fruit to 8
cups water. 3. Add damp treated fabric and simmer with fruit
and water to desired depth of color, 30 to 60 minutes.- Rinse, wring out, and hang to dry in the sun.
PEACHES AND RUSTS
Sumac is a common roadside weed. 1. In stockpot, bring 1 part
vinegar to 4 parts water to a boil. Add fabric; simmer for
1 hour. Let cool and wring out. 2. In clean stockpot, simmer
sumac berries for about 45 minutes, using a 1-to-1 ratio of
water to plant. 3. Strain berries and add damp treated fabric;
simmer for about 30 minutes. 4. Finish as above.YELLOWS AND GOLDS
For the deepest shades, pick marigolds in late summer or early
fall, and hang in a warm, dry place until the petals are dry to
the touch (3 weeks). 1. Treat fabric with salt mordant (see
Purples and Violets step 1, above). 2. Bring 1 cup dried mari-
gold petals and 2 gallons water to a boil. 3. Add damp treated
fabric and simmer for about 1 hour. 4. Finish as above.PINKS AND FUCHSIAS
“Beet dyes make the most brilliant pink,” Motnyk says. 1. Treat fab -
ric with vinegar mordant (see Peaches and Rusts step 1, above).
- Simmer 1 part chopped beets in 6 parts water for about 2
hours; remove beets from pot. Add damp treated fabric and
simmer for another hour. 3. Turn off heat and let stand until
desired shade is reached, 1 hour to overnight. 4. Finish as above.