Natural Bundle Dyeing with Flowers

We did some fun natural bundle dyeing in the outskirts of Antigua, Guatemala at Luna Zorro. The studio is set within the ground of Finca Azotea.

Leaves and dried and fresh flowers are mostly used for bundle dyeing. You can also pair with pigmented powders for a wash of color.

We experimented with a few different plant materials:
Cochineal powder (insect that is harvested from nopal paddles): producing red and pink colors
Red Onion Skins: reds and pinks
Pericon (yellow medicinal plant that can be used fresh or dried ): producing yellow and orange colors
Turmeric powder: vibrant orange yellows
Marigold Flowers: dark oranges

Step 1

Pots of hot water are set to boil.
Fibers and fabrics are prepped by soaking in a bath of cold water. Then wrung and hung to lightly air dry.
Dye materials are prepped.

Step 2

You can start decorating your fabrics with the various leaves, flowers and pigmented powders.

Step 3

Roll the fabric into a rope and twist them around in a coil like you’re making a bun. This forms your ‘bundle’! Then tie some twine around the bundle and secure with a knot.

Step 4

Add to the steamer in the pot of boiling water. The steam will allow the colors to bind to the fabric.

Step 5

Rinse in cool water to release any remaining dye in the fabric until the water runs clear.

Hang dry on a clothes line!

Examples of natural dye projects :)