Do a search on the web, I found a site "herb and plant dyes" that explains a lot.

This is one site that starts from the name of the plant, and goes into dying from there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing dye plants

dandelion blooms, don't forget red onions, coffee grounds, can't remember more always did my Easter eggs for the kids when they were small..dandelion makes a lovely golden egg....bedazzled

Hi,

On the Yahoo Groups there is a list for Natural Dyes that has lots of good information. But for some commonly available plants try anthemis, calendulas, marigolds, coreopsis, Queen Ann's Lace, tansy, burdock, aspen leaves, juniper leaves..... Try anything and see what you get. I dye mostly woolens and it has to be pre-mordanted except in the case of indigo. I'm not too sure about cottons except most of them have to have been soaked in something with tannin in it and maybe rinsed in soda ash water to set the colors.

Ann
Billings, MT

I might suggest searches through Native Indian Lore....AMS

I use walnut hulls for a silvery smoke color for fabrics and some use it for reed dyes. Soak your fabric in a stinky solution of walnut hulls (nuts ok too) as long as you can stand it. Weeks. Then, lay that bad boy on the ground to let most of the really horrid smelling water drip out. It is best if you lay it in the yard a few days to dry. Soda Ash at about 4 oz per pint is a good next bath. Wash, wash wash till you like the smell. Voila.

If you move the fabric every few days, you'll get a cloudy, glazy effect. The more activity, the smoother and more consistent the color... but it is more interesting if not too consistent.

Hopi red dye Amaranthus is some thing the Native Americans used to make a beautiful deep red color. I have used it for shirts.