Golden Threads: The Magic of Dyer’s Coreopsis for Natural Color

At Oak & Linen, we celebrate the artistry of nature—and few plants are as joyful and versatile as Dyer’s Coreopsis. With its brilliant golden petals and gentle adaptability, this flower has long been cherished by natural dyers for its warm color palette and ease of use.

Our organically grown Dyer’s Coreopsis is now available in dried ounces, perfect for at-home dyeing projects. Just simmer the blossoms to reveal rich hues ranging from soft

Dyers Coreopsis Flowers in the Garden

yellows to deep ochres, depending on fiber type and mordant. It’s beginner-friendly yet offers endless creative potential.

Whether you’re dyeing fabric for quilts, ribbons for gift wrapping, or yarn for slow-crafted textiles, this humble flower offers a splash of summer in every soak.

Explore our shop to bring home this botanical sunshine—and start coloring your world naturally.

Despite its bright yellow flowers, dyer’s coreopsis can yield vibrant hues ranging from sunny golds to rusty oranges and earthy reds. The final color depends on:

• The mordant used (alum for yellows, iron for deep rust tones)

• The fiber type (cotton, linen, silk, wool)

• The process (hot dye bath, solar infusion, or bundle dyeing)

Whether you’re going for bold saturation or subtle botanical imprints, this plant offers remarkable range.

Why It Matters in Botanical Craft

Dyer’s coreopsis connects artistry and ecology. It’s a sustainable dye source, easy to grow, and supports native biodiversity. When used in hand-dyed textiles—like linen eye pillows or cyanotype overlays—it becomes a bridge between science and soul.

Whether you're soaking petals under the summer sun or infusing them into small-batch creations, this radiant bloom reminds us that color doesn’t just come from pigment—it comes from place, process, and passion.

Dried Dyers Coreopsis Flowers

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Fabric

• Scour your fabric to remove oils and finishes (a soak in hot water with pH-neutral soap works well).

• Rinse thoroughly.

2. Mordant the Fiber

For cellulose fibers (cotton, linen):

1. Soak in a tannin bath (15% weight of fiber) for 1–2 hours. Rinse.

2. Mordant with a mix of Alum (15% weight of fiber) + Soda Ash (2% weight of fiber) in warm water for 1 hour. Rinse.

For protein fibers (wool, silk):

• Mordant in a warm bath of Alum (15% weight of fiber) + optional Cream of Tartar (5% weight of fiber) for brightness. Soak for 1–2 hours. Rinse.

3. Make the Dye Bath

• Add dried Coreopsis flowers (1:1 ratio with the weight of fiber for intense color) to a pot of water.

• Simmer gently for 30–60 minutes to extract pigment.

• Strain out the flowers, reserving the liquid.

4. Dye Your Fabric

• Add your damp mordanted fabric to the strained dye bath.

• Simmer gently (don’t boil!) for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

• Let fabric cool in the bath overnight for deeper hues.

5. Rinse & Dry

• Rinse until water runs clear.

• Hang to dry out of direct sunlight.

• Optional: Iron or steam after drying to help set color.

Tips for Color Variation

• Lighter shade? Use less flower material or shorter dye times.

• Deeper tone? Increase flower ratio or soak longer.

• Shift hue? Modify pH with a splash of lemon juice (acidic) or soda ash (alkaline).

Have fun and experiment with small pieces of fabric to start with!