How to Dye Cross Stitch Linen Botanically: A Complete Guide to Natural Plant Dyeing
There is something magical about stitching on fabric you have dyed yourself. The subtle variations in color, the connection to nature, the knowledge that your piece is truly one of a kind. While most tutorials cover basic tea or coffee dyeing, today I want to share my method for botanical dyeing using plants, flowers, and herbs.
This technique creates fabric with depth and character that commercial dyes simply cannot replicate. It is perfect for primitive and folk art cross stitch, where that handmade, aged aesthetic is exactly what we are after.
Why Botanical Dyeing?
Unlike synthetic dyes, plant-based colors have natural variations that give fabric an organic, lived-in quality. Each batch is unique, meaning your finished piece will be truly one of a kind.
What You Will Need
Linen Fabric
Natural, undyed linen works best
Plants for Dyeing
See color guide below
Soya Milk
For mordanting the fabric
Natural Laundry Liquid
For washing before dyeing
Equipment
- Aluminium pot (do not use the same pots for cooking)
- Wooden spoons for stirring
- Gloves and facemask for safety
- Iron for fixing the color
Important Safety Note
Open the windows when dyeing. Never use the same pots for dyeing and cooking. Always wear gloves and consider a facemask when working with heated dye baths.
Plant Color Guide
One of the joys of botanical dyeing is discovering which colors different plants produce. Here are some options I have experimented with:
| Plant Material | Color Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avocado skins | Dusty pink | Save skins from ripe avocados |
| Avocado stones | Deeper pink | Chop or crush for better extraction |
| Onion skins | Golden yellow/orange | Yellow onions work best |
| Hibiscus flowers | Purple/mauve | Dried hibiscus tea works too |
| Rosemary | Soft yellow-green | Fresh or dried |
| Pomegranate skins | Yellow/tan | Rich in tannins |
| Daffodils | Soft yellow | Use the whole flower |
| Carrot tops | Light green | The leafy greens, not the carrot |
| Black tea | Warm brown | Classic choice for aged look |
| All kinds of tea | Various tans/browns | Experiment with different varieties |
Collecting Materials
Start saving avocado skins and onion skins in your freezer. By the time you are ready to dye, you will have plenty of material. This is also a wonderful way to reduce kitchen waste!
The Dyeing Process
Long-lasting colors require a longer process, but the results are worth the effort. You can dye several projects at once by doing the small daily steps together. Here is my method:
Wash the Fabric
Wash your linen fabric with a natural laundry liquid at 30-40 degrees. This removes any sizing, oils, or residue that could prevent the dye from bonding evenly.
Mordant with Soya Milk
This is the secret to long-lasting botanical colors. Leave the fabric in soya milk for 12 hours, stirring it several times throughout. The proteins in soya milk help the plant dyes bond to the linen fibers.
Wash and Dry
After mordanting, wash the fabric gently to remove excess soya milk and leave it to dry completely. The fabric is now ready to accept the dye.
Prepare the Dye Bath
Use approximately 100g of plant material per 100g of fabric. You can use more for a stronger color. Heat the pot with the plants and water for about an hour to extract the color fully.
Dye the Fabric
Place the fabric in the dye bath and leave it for 2 to 24 hours depending on the color intensity you want. Stir occasionally for even color distribution.
Fix the Color
Remove the fabric and wash it with cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Finally, iron the fabric on a hot setting to help fix the color permanently.
Understanding the Results
The final color depends on several factors:
- The fabric - Different linens absorb dye differently
- Time in the dye bath - Longer produces deeper colors
- Plant material - Fresh vs dried, quantity used
- Water - Mineral content affects results
This means it would be very difficult to replicate the exact same color twice. But that is the beauty of botanical dyeing! Each piece of fabric becomes unique, with subtle variations that add character to your finished cross stitch.
Embrace the Imperfection
Botanical dyeing is not about precision. The slight variations, the gentle gradients, the organic quality of the colors - this is what makes hand-dyed fabric special. It is perfect for primitive cross stitch, where that handmade aesthetic is part of the charm.
Storing Your Hand-Dyed Fabric
Store your botanically dyed linen away from direct sunlight, which can fade natural dyes over time. A drawer or covered box works perfectly. The colors may soften slightly with age, which only adds to that cherished, heirloom quality.
Pairing with the Right Threads
Botanically dyed fabric pairs beautifully with hand-dyed threads like Classic Colorworks, Gentle Art Sampler Threads, and Weeks Dye Works. The natural variations complement each other perfectly.
If you prefer DMC threads, choose muted shades that harmonize with the organic quality of your fabric. Need help with thread conversions? Check out our free tools:
Ready to Stitch on Your Hand-Dyed Fabric?
Browse our collection of primitive cross stitch patterns, designed specifically for that rustic, handmade aesthetic.
Browse PatternsFinal Thoughts
Botanical dyeing is a journey of experimentation and discovery. Your first batch might not turn out exactly as expected, and that is okay. Each attempt teaches you something new about how plants, fabric, and time work together to create color.
There is something deeply satisfying about creating fabric with materials from your kitchen and garden. When you stitch on linen you have dyed yourself, you are adding another layer of handmade love to your work. That connection to nature and craft is what primitive stitching is all about.
I would love to see your botanical dyeing experiments! Tag me on Instagram with your results.
Happy dyeing and happy stitching!
- Marieta