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Dyeing yellow
dye with plants

The yellow dye which is the easiest to get, is probably ordinary Birk leaves (betula). 

The leaves should be gathered when fully developed. In the south of Norway thin means mid June, but this may differ from place to place. They should not be used when they are 'old' (from september). The colour is the most yellow when you use dried leaves, not the fresh ones, and if you are going to dry them, pick the leaves during the month of July. Dry the leaves immeadiately after picking them, and as fast as possible. When dry, the leaves should have a grayish green colour. If they are brown, that will be useless. If they are stored in a dry place, they can be stored for a few years.

When dyeing linen, you shall have twice as much Birk leaves as you have linen. (When the leaves are dry) 
1. Let the leaves soak overnight.
2. Heat the water to 80 degrees celcius.
3. Put the linen into the water, stir for some time, so the colour gets even. Leave the linen until the water is chilled before removing it and drying it. 
4. Wash the linen.
Uneful chemicals will be 3% Alum. 5% K2CO3 (kaliumkarbonat/potaske). This makes the colour more yellow, less brown. If you are going to reuse the water, the colour you get will be more brown.

Wild Mignonette (Reseda Lutea)

Wild Mignonette contains large amounts of the colour Lutein, which is one of the yellow dyes that can best resist sunlight.You will have to dry the plant before using it. 

Sources: Dye With Plants / Farv med planter.
Esther Nielsen. Borgen 1983. 

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