For initial experiments using tea and milk, or if making dyes from edible berries it is safe to use your usual kitchen equipment. However plant materials can contain very toxic substances and therefore can only be processed in pans, or with utensils that will never be used to cook food.
Basic dyeing kit
- Rubber gloves and apron
- Large pan/stock pot at least 10 -12 litres capacity (preferably made of stainless steel as aluminium can have an impact on your dye)
- Sieve
- Piece of muslin or gauze to line sieve
- Long handled spoon – wood/plastic or silicone or a stick about 50 cm long (a section of fibreglass tent pole works well to stir the pot)
- Large bucket or bowl
- Potato masher
Notes prepared by Katrina Barnish for Sewing Café Lancaster sewingcafelancaster@gmail.com