The Art of Natural Dyeing: Creating An Essentials Collection with Food Dyes

How do we go about sourcing our ingredients?

Each dye used in our collection comes from organic food sources that were about to be thrown away or from local farms. For this collection, we relied on ingredients we can easily found in our kitchen like:

• Onion skins for a warm, golden yellow hue
• Tea & Coffee for those light beige and dark brown shades
• Madder root for a bright & warm orange 
• Beetroot for soft pinks and reds
• Blueberries or Logwood for gentle/bright purples

We also experimented with a few unexpected sources, like cochineal, a dried insect that can be found on cactus plants and turmeric, which yields surprisingly beautiful tones of bright pink and yellow tones.

The Dyeing Process

Natural dyeing is both a science and an art: it is a magical process. Every step—from preparing the fabrics to extracting the pigments—requires attention to detail and patience. Here’s a glimpse into the process we followed for this basics collection:

1. Fabric Preparation: Before any dye can touch the fabric, the natural materials—cotton, silk or wool  for example—must be prepped. This involves a thorough wash to remove any residues from production. We also “mordant” the fabrics, which is a crucial step to ensure that the food dyes adhere to the fabric. We use natural mordants, such as alum or tannin, which are non-toxic and help the color bind.
2. Extracting Pigments: The next step is extracting the dyes from the food. This involves chopping, boiling, or steeping the ingredients to release their colors. Each plant or food requires a slightly different method. For instance, turmeric is boiled for a short time to preserve its bright yellow, while red cabbage needs an acidic environment to shift from purple to blue.
3. Dyeing the Fabric: Once the dye baths are prepared, the fabric is soaked in the color for several hours—sometimes overnight, depending on the depth of color we want to achieve. The longer the fabric stays in the dye, the richer the hue. For our basics collection, we opted for soft, muted tones that feel gentle and cozy.
4. Setting the Color: After dyeing, the fabrics are air-dried and then cured to set the color. This involves washing the dyed fabric in cold water to remove any excess dye and prevent fading over time. One of the most important aspects of natural dyeing is ensuring that the fabric remains colorfast, so we take extra care in this stage.
5. Sustainability Considerations: Our dyeing process is water-efficient, and we reuse water from dye baths for multiple batches, ensuring minimal waste. All leftover plant material is composted, returning nutrients to the soil. We are constantly refining our processes to ensure the smallest environmental footprint possible.

The Result

The result of this labour-intensive process is a collection that feels as good as it looks. Our food-dyed basics are soft, breathable, and have a unique feel. Each item, whether it’s a pair of intimate wear, a classic T-shirt, or a cosy pyjama, carries subtle variations in colour, making them one-of-a-kind. 

But it does not come without its challenges …

Natural dyeing, while rewarding, is not without its challenges. Unlike synthetic dyes, which offer a uniform and predictable result, food dyes can vary depending on factors like the pH of the water, temperature, or the ripeness of the ingredients. This unpredictability is part of the beauty of natural dyeing, but it requires flexibility and creativity in the production process.

However, it is such a beautiful & magical process that is very rewarding. Not only do we create products that are environmentally friendly, but we also produce clothing that is safe and comfortable for even the most sensitive skin. Moreover, our customers appreciate the transparency and care that go into every piece, knowing that their clothes are free from harmful chemicals and made with respect for the planet.

One toxic-free garment at a time

Through our food-dyed basics collection, we aim to inspire a shift in the fashion industry toward natural, sustainable methods. By rethinking how clothing is made—from the fibres to the dyes—we believe fashion can be a force for good. Our journey with food dyes is just beginning, but we’re excited about what’s to come as we continue to explore new ways to merge sustainability and style. And we can’t wait for you to experience the magic of food-dyed clothing for yourself.