Kids Kreate

Pioneer & Colonial Fun ~ Natural Dyes

Here is a great project for many subjects and craft projects!

You'll need:

pot
wooden spoon
several squares of white cloth or yarn or whatever you are dyeing
Lots of onion skins
purple grapes
blueberries
2 or 3 teabags
Cinnamon
cranberries

Directions:

Bring to a boil about 2 cups of water in a medium pan. Add one of the above ingredients. If using berries mash them well. Reduce heat and let simmer. Stir and then add your clothe or yarn. Keep it in for as long as you like. The longer you leave it the darker and deeper the color will be. Rinse and hang up to dry.

Here are the colors you will get:

onion skins - yellow-brown
Grapes - pale blue
Blueberries-purple color
tea bags - tan or brown
Cinnamon- very pretty brown
Cranberries - rose

If you know of other things that make other colors please let me know and I will add them to the list.

Belinda Mooney is the mother of seven children, a veteran homeschooler and a freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in over 70 publications. Her Kids in the Kitchen column is carried Mid-Ohio Valley Parenting, Families First and Gainesville Family. You can reach her at

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