Top 10 Tips for Successful Flower Dyeing
- Use dehydrated flowers - Leave your flowers out of water for a few hours as a thirsty flower will absorb dye quicker and more evenly.
- Use fresh flowers - Old flowers will not absorb flower dye very well and may even damage the petals.
- Use white flowers - White flowers will show the dyes off to best effect. The only exception is to this rule is when you want to create a dark black finish then start with a red flower.
- The best flowers to dye - All flowers will dye but from experience these are the best: Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Gerbera mini, Vendela Roses, Akita Roses.
- Achieve 2 colour effects - First dye flowers in one dye and then move into a second dye.
- The dye can be reused - Don’t throw the dye solution away after one use. It can be used multiple times.
- Extend the shelf life of your dye - Add flower food and put your dye solution in the fridge.
- Experiment - Flower dyeing is not an exact art and you will need to experiment with flower dye concentrations and how different flowers absorb the dye.
- Let the flowers drink water - After dyeing place your flowers in fresh water. This will allow the dye to fully absorb into the petals.
- Write it down - Keep a record of your favourite dye effects. Record the type of flower, dye concentrations, dye colours and dyeing times. It will make it much easier to recreate the same effect in the future.