4. BioChromes¶
Research¶
Onion dyeing is a natural dyeing process that uses the outer skins of onions to produce eco-friendly colors on fabrics. It is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to explore natural dyeing since onion skins are easy to collect and contain strong pigments that bind well to natural fibers like cotton, silk, wool, and linen
What It Does Onion dyeing allows creators to produce warm earthy tones—mostly golden yellow, mustard, brown, or olive-green hues, depending on the type of onion and mordant used. It helps promote sustainable fashion by reducing the use of synthetic dyes and creates unique, naturally toned textiles that carry a rustic and organic aesthetic.
How It Works Materials: - Onion skins (yellow or red onions) - Water - Mordant (optional: alum, vinegar, or salt) - Natural fabric (cotton, silk, or linen) Process: 1. Collect onion skins – dry outer layers work best. 2. Boil them in water for about 30–45 minutes until the color releases. 3. Strain the liquid to get the dye bath. 4. Soak pre-washed fabric in the dye bath and simmer for 30–60 minutes. 5. Rinse and dry – the color deepens as it dries. Color results: - Yellow onion skins → warm golden yellow, amber, or brown tones. - Red onion skins → pink, purple, or greenish-brown tones (depending on fabric and mordant).
Why It’s Important Onion dyeing demonstrates how simple kitchen waste can be transformed into valuable design resources. It encourages sustainability, zero waste practices, and eco-friendly approaches to textile design. This method also builds a creative connection between nature, design, and innovation.
References & Inspiration¶
As someone who loves working with natural materials and crafts, I was drawn to onion dyeing because it turns everyday waste into beauty. It aligns with my creative journey in Fabricademy, where I explore the connection between digital fabrication, sustainability, and design. Seeing natural color emerge from onion peels made me realize how art and nature can work together to promote environmental awareness and creativity.
- Two images side-by-side
- Image reference
- Download reference
Artist Reference: • India Flint – an Australian textile artist known for eco-printing and natural dyeing techniques that connect humans and nature through fabric art. Visual Inspiration: • Naturally dyed fabrics using onion skins and eco-printing on cotton. • Earthy-toned textile patterns inspired by organic color gradients. • Eco-conscious fashion designs that highlight sustainable craftsmanship.
Tools¶
• Pot or saucepan for boiling onion skins • Strainer to filter dye bath • Wooden spoon or stick for stirring • Measuring cup • Fabric (cotton, silk, linen, or wool) • Mordants (optional: alum, vinegar, or salt) • Heat source (stove or hot plate)
Process and workflow¶
- Collect the outer dry skins of onions (yellow or red) and clean them.
- Place the skins in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 30–45 minutes until the water changes color and pigment is released.
- Strain the liquid to obtain a clear dye bath.
- Pre-wash your fabric to remove any finishes or dirt.
- (Optional) Mordant your fabric by soaking it in a solution of alum, vinegar, or salt to help color fixation.
- Submerge the fabric into the dye bath and simmer for 30–60 minutes.
- Remove, rinse with clean water, and allow to dry naturally.
- Observe how the color develops as the fabric dries — results may vary depending on onion type and mordant.
Ingredients & Recipes¶
Prepare this recipe 1 by collecting the ingredients necessary, to be found in the list below:
• Onion Type: Yellow or red onions (different shades) • Quantity: About 2 cups of onion skins per 1 liter of water • Mordant (optional): 1 tablespoon alum or 2 tablespoons vinegar • Fabric: Cotton, silk, or linen • Boiling Time: 30–45 minutes for dye extraction • Simmering Time: 30–60 minutes for fabric dyeing • Expected Colors: Golden yellow, amber, or brown from yellow onions; pink to olive tones from red onions.
Blue sky¶
The blue sky represents openness, calm, and endless creative possibility. It reminds me that just like nature’s colors shift with light and time, fabric dyeing is a journey of discovery. The way the sky changes shades from dawn to dusk inspires me to explore how natural dyes can reflect similar transitions — from soft light hues to deep earthy tones.
This connection between the sky and my dyeing process symbolizes freedom, imagination, and sustainability, reflecting how natural beauty can guide artistic creation.
recipe mallow dye on protein and cellulose fibers
- measure
- add
- simmer
- mix
- remove
- strain
- repeat
Documenting experiments¶
example from the documentation of Petra Garaiová FabTextiles Barcelona 2021-22
TEST 01 - SILK¶
| Material name | Fabric composition | Breathability | Moisture-wicking abilities | Heat retention abilities | Stretchability | Washing temperatures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silk | Animal fibers - silkworm insect | Highly breathable | High | Low | Low | Cool or warm |
RESULTS¶
Two ways of showcasing and comparing results with images below
On the left an image of a sample made by xxx with xxx. The dye is more xxx. On the right, an image of a sample made by xxx with xxx and xxx. Here the dye is more xxx.
RESULTS¶
Recycling the dye into pigments¶
Ingredients & Recipes¶
Prepare this recipe 1 by collecting the ingredients necessary, to be found in the list below:
ingredients
- xxx gr madder root
- xxx gr alum
- xxx gr fabric
- xxx ml xxx
- xxx gr xxx
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pink pigment¶
pigment from left-over dye bath
- measure
- add
- simmer
- mix
- remove
- strain
- repeat
RESULTS¶