Natural Dye Tutorial: onion skins for dyeing wool yarn orange | Last Minute Laura

[@WoodworkingChickie]

Laura!!! You are my hero. Here's why: I recently made a floppy bunny rabbit plushy for my great-grand-nephew. I wanted it to be all natural, so I used cotton instead of yarn to knit, double-bagged the bottom, hand and feet beans (so that there is NO way the baby will ever get to them), and used unbreakable thread to attach everything, and for the pink inside of the ears, I used a recipe my Mum taught me. You boil beets for about an hour to extract all of the red dye from them. After this, turn off the heat, remove the beets (which you can now pickle), and add the cotton to the pot for four hours. After four hours, strain out the liquid and add vinegar to make your dye colour-fast. Scrunch the cotton in the vinegar and let it soak for a good half hour to an hour - until you get the pink you want. You can then wash the cotton and it will remain the same pink. NOW...why you are my hero....our Patricia has just told us that she is pregnant again, so I've decided to make a floppy fox plushy (can you call it a plushy if it is not fluffy??). I had NO idea how to dye cotton orange. Your solution is perfect!!! Thank you so much.

[@LastMinuteLaura]

That’s wonderful!! A new baby is always great news! Also, my grandmother who taught me crafty things was named Patricia and it is also my middle name! You go girl! Dye that plushy (yes I think it’s still a plushy) fox orange 🦊 ☺️☺️☺️☺️🧶 thanks for watching and taking the time to leave such a sweet comment 🥰

[@moistsbread]

I followed this video and the results came through!! I used it on some yellow fabric but was still able to get an autumn orange result~ the pieces in question were some accessories, cuffs and headband, that I needed for a costume so I'm really happy that it worked!!

[@noahsquare6304]

wow amazing colour! just one advice, put some vinaigre on the fabric once it is dyed so the colour wont fade out after washing

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Yes, Noah! Good call! I will be doing that when I use my onion skin dye in an upcoming wool dye tutorial!! Thank you!

[@rachelporter6077]

I am currently on my kitchen peeling purple onions because I'M DOING THIS!

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Yes! Do basic yellow onions too. Honestly, the colour is so beautiful 😍 also, new tip I learned: after the dyeing is done, sit the fabric in white vinegar for a few minutes then rinse. Allegedly, it locks the dye to keep it bright and prevent any fade to brown tendencies that can happen with plant based dyes! Good luck! I hope you love it 😊😊😊

[@emiliacollerson5672]

Oh I love how excited you get at the end! I’m running off to do some onion dying for myself now!

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Yes Emilia! Do it! (ps. I love the name Emilia! )

[@mitalk7272]

Wow,awesome!Thanks for sharing.I have collected Pink Onion Peels since a month to make this dye and I chanced upon your video as I was searching for making natural dyes at home and Voila,I got to see your wonderful video!I will share my experience after using the peels to dye my cotton fabric:-)

[@emilypickett6401]

Love it! I have a discloured white shirt that is in need of some lovin'. Think I'm gonna go and get some onion skins :D

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Awe thanks Emily! I really hope you do give it a shot! Thank you so much for watching 😍 and thank you so much for commenting!!! Hey if you do end up trying it, send me a photo by email at [e-mail] or by tagging me on Instagram (my handle is @lastminutelaura.ca)

[@mermaid8mermaid]

Were you happy with the result? I want to try it on a stained dress but I’m thinking it won’t actually conceal the discoloration.

[@rosej5348]

Yes I just done a couple of kitchen towels with Turmeric just to test it. It turned out great!

[@yolysab3899]

Love the color. Thanks.

[@erikacronje8985]

So beautiful!! I mentioned in a previous video that I also dyed with onion skins, first I dunijed in about a tea towel sized pre-scoured cotton twill piece, then after I boiled that for an hour, removed it, added some alum and dunked in another similar piece. The non alum one made a beautiful pale yellow and the alum one a bright saffron yellow (and that was the reduced dye bath as some dye were gone already!! ) So now I want to try this again with other plan material and see how it goes with alum, vinegar and without. I have also heard that some dyers soak their cloth in soy milk as a mordant, not tried it yet. I used these pieces as blankets for eco printing on plain pre-scoured cotton twill and even the eco printing came our different on the dyed and undyed twill. It's like magic every time you unroll the final product :-D

[@LastMinuteLaura]

I am so glad you see it as magic too! I feel like a whimsical woodland fairy witch every time I make colour!

[@QuynhHo]

This is amazing thank you for making this video! I’m going to try using this method on tie dye shirt

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Thanks Quynh! Good luck with your experiment and thank you for watching.

[@ravenclaw_4life722]

do you think that it would have a brighter color orange if you added some turmeric to it too?

[@riyaswain7293]

I love your videos and you make the most informative videos. If I may ask can we store and reuse the dye bath for future dyeing uses ???

[@patchz2531]

Mulberries.... the big purple ones.... and red cabbage....

[@croffeecraft1239]

have you tried using annatto for dyeing?? i'm a crocheter and thought of using natural dyeing and as i research, i found your channel. I'm also curious if it lasted long, i mean the effect 😅 i once tried annatto,the one that's ready to use in cooking but the experiment is not yet done😊

[@skygelbron6321]

Most beautiful dye ever! Just discovered you :)

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Thank you for the kind words Sky. I'm glad you enjoyed the dye and thank you for watching the tutorial. Happy Holidays

[@mnpb14]

super cool!!

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Thanks boo 😘

[@puzzodr]

Amazeballs! I'm going to dye my sis' sweater I'm working on from your last pattern tutorial. Thanks for your kind offer of help LMLaura if I get stuck! Have a great week! Give your adorbs chihuahua a love from me(I have a bitty Chi too)..Deb in Baton Rouge, LA

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Awe that sounds like a great idea Deb! Hold off on the dyeing for a little while though until you see all the colours I made videos for! You may see one You like more. Ps. I always notice your comments on my videos, so I thought I’d let you know I was late to post my Thursday video, but it’s up now (I didn’t see you in the comments on that video!) Thanks for watching, Laura

[@puzzodr]

Last Minute Laura ..Thanks so much Laura! I had a long hosp. shift and just caught your new vid & sweet reply. What a great treat to come home to & see..new weekend LML goals. Enjoy your weekend - thanks again for the new vids, I live for 'em. For realz. 💃🏼Yay

[@rizabrown287]

Hi Laura, how much dye would you suggest for 6-7 yards of fabric? I’m making a kirtle with a cotton-linen blend and curious how much I’d need for such a quantity of fabric.

[@helenai13]

Nice tutorial. What about the smell? Did it disappear once rinsed and dried? Thanks

[@LastMinuteLaura]

No smell at all Helena! After it is rinsed out, there really is nothing left odor-wise . The dried skins are already very mild in smell. Don't use the whole onion, just the crunchy dry skins! I hope this helps!

[@helenai13]

Last Minute Laura, good to know. Thank you, it does help a lot!:)

[@brendaamaliacaldera3329]

Awesome!!! Definitely going to try this one. Iove the dress, hair just wanted to let you know. Thank you for this info

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Thanks Brenda! Yes definitely try it! I would recommend using Alum or iron as a mordant on your fibre, to make the colour last though washed and in the sun! (alum makes it more yellow, iron makes it an olive green)

[@rosielee8381]

Thank you! 🌟

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Thank you Rosie! for watching and commenting!

[@joyace9674]

😳 wow nice thank u for sharing 🥰👌

[@Grautung]

I LOVE THIS! :D YOÜ are AWEsome! Thank you for publishing this. I did it today, and so far it looks and FEELS GREAT! :D I also did it with ties/rubber strings to make a batic-like happy-hippy warm sunshine email explosion pattern and color! First time doing this, so it'll be AWESOME to explore more, and experience the result!

[@Grautung]

OMG, I LOOOVE the results!! First time trying, and learned a lot just from the fun doing it! Onion peels in first wash, and chlorophyll in the second one. EXCELLENT pattern of orangy-yellow+nature-green spiraling vortices of PASSION and Loooooooove, baby! MM!

[@LastMinuteLaura]

I am so glad it worked for you! I love Onion skins. They are still my favourite dye plant

[@nedmartinez-zavala9176]

I want to dye my duvet cover! I want that earth yellow tone so darker than the light yellow. Any tips for that much fabric?

[@MissAngieC23]

Do you think this burnt orange color could work on a sheer light gold dress?

[@MissAngieC23]

Adding: the material is not cotton.. 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex

[@LastMinuteLaura]

this type of dye won't work on synthetic fabrics. You would need to be dyeing cotton, wool, or some other natural fibre. I hope this helps!

[@In_time_my_beloved_Kate]

Do you need a mordant?

[@ella1653]

Amazing! I'm trying to dye a pair of white pants but they have more of a shiny finish will this work for it?

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Thanks El la. I suppose there is one way to find out haha =) Have a good day!

[@NannyOggins]

Beetroot and nasturtium are interesting, also nettles for a yellow brown.

[@LastMinuteLaura]

I have yet to ever identify nettles in the wild. I have heard of so many cool things you can do and make with them, but I haven't ever really tried to find them. I think I will add "find nettles" to my Summer Bucket List this year. Thanks Nanny Oggins!

[@eddie-ls1zb]

Hey I have a question Do u have to put the vinegar after u place it fabric in the onion skin . I need responds ASAP

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Hey Sarah, I premordant with alum powder, but I am not sure about vinegar

[@kitmahoney]

Is the dye permanent? I want to eco print after dyeing with onion skin on silk

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Yeah the dyes have been holding on pretty nicely over time and after many washes. 🎄Happy Holidays 🎄

[@nancyong3956]

Dear,can I use cast iron pot to boil the onions skin,the pot as mordant ?

[@nancyong3956]

*mordent

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Hey Nancy! I think you could, but the cast iron may not release enough iron into the bath to really set the dye. I would add a few rusty pieces and a splash of vinegar to the pot to be sure!

[@nvaranavage]

So should they then be hot ironed to set the color?

[@LastMinuteLaura]

No, but they should have been mordented, with alum, iron, vinegar, or something to set the colour. Otherwise they will fade (I didn't know this at the time I made the video!)

[@TraineeHero]

Can you dye with lilac and lavender flowers?

[@LastMinuteLaura]

I haven't tried yet Mini, but I wonder also. Usually purples disappear when heated in my experience, but maybe you could get some other shade with those plants?

[@flgirl250]

Nice

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Thanks

[@tarakuzmick2714]

Love Love Love the color! All of the fruits I’ve used have made pink & purple, I was hoping for a new color addition. I think this will go well with coffee & tea dyed paper. Do you have any suggestions for green? Thank You for the fun video!

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Woot! I'm glad you love the color Tara and thank you for watching. I'll keep your suggestions in mind for future projects for green. Have a good day!

[@sariheryanto4177]

I have orange bag that I liked but the colour already faded.The fabrics seems made of cotton or linen I'm not sure.I wana try to use this method to make my bag get back its orange vibe!

[@LastMinuteLaura]

Thanks Sari. That sounds good and give it a shot. Give the bag its orange vibe back haha!!! Thank you for watching and have a good day!

[@wayankartini2091]

Onions must not be put in the frige like potatos.

[@thecreator2613]

i hate used tumeric for orange i used a combo of blueberries hibiscus and rose petals and lemon juice and made this beautiful purple lavender color im going to do a youtube video tomorrow w to show case it

[@LastMinuteLaura]

cool! I haven't tried turmeric yet... still on the *to do* list :)