How to make
Kudzu dye:


Chop plant material into small pieces and place into a pot. Double the amount of water to plant material. Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour. Strain.


Fixative
Soak the fabric in a color fixative before the dye process. Plant dye solution is 4 parts cold water to 1 part vinegar. Simmer fabric for about an hour in the fixative. Squeeze out excess and run under cool water until the water runs clear.

Dye Bath
Place wet fabric in dye bath; simmer according to desired color. For a stronger shade, allow fabric to soak overnight. The color will be lighter when the fabric dries.

Once your background color is finished than you can experiment with other plant and natural dyes. For instance, lemon juice is a natural bleach and most plants will produce a color dye using this method.

Note: It is best to use an old pot and wear gloves as the dye will possibly stain. Also wash the fabric separately in cold water when the entire process is done.


Napkins dyed with kudzu and other natural dyes.

First-kudzu dye only

Second- Kudzu and strawberry dye with lemon juice

Third-Kudzu and strawberry dye treated with coffee bath.