Sumac Flower Dye – Salmon Pink

Sumac flowers from Sumac Tree. Pointed cone flowers.

Sumac flower spikes start deep red, but these were picked when turned russet, in October.  Soak flowers in water until dye appears. I left these for a few weeks before adding fabric.  Silks Habotai and Erin were soaked for a few days amongst the flower seeds. They took up dye quickly, but I wanted to make sure they got as strong as possible.  Interestingly, some wool left in a Sumac dye jar for a year, have turned ginger!