Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Vegetable dye recipe card: stock solution

  • wcu_craft_revival-3786.jpg
  • This recipe using a stock solution with hydrosulphite solution is part of a box containing 46 total vegetable dye recipes which are hand-written on index cards. Each card provides the formula used to achieve a particular color. The cards include the date, the origin of the homespun fiber, which mordants and dyes were used, the length of the process, what temperature was achieved, and other unique notes and factors that would affect the outcome of the vegetable dyeing process. A sample of the dyed yarn showing the exact color produced is attached to each card. The recipes were most likely written by Louise Pitman, as the dates on the cards correspond to Pitman's employment at the John C Campbell Folk School. The top inside of the box bears the name of Fannie McClellan, who succeeded Louise Pitman in the 1950s as vegetable dye instructor at the school.