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You’ll be tickled pink at this use for avo stones and skins.
How to dye napkins pretty pink using avocados
Ihave long been a fan of dye and its ability to completely transform or salvage a piece of plain fabric. A few years ago, I stumbled across the idea of colouring fabrics with naturally derived dyes – from fruits, plants and spices. couldn’t believe I had been in the dark for so long! I very quickly started experimenting with different colours and combinations. So a word of warning: once you try natural dyeing, you might not be able to stop.
Step one Pre-wash and soak the fabric in warm to hot water with a gentle fabric soap. Rinse the fabric and ensure that it stays damp.
Step two Fill a saucepan with enough water to ensure the avocado stones and skins will be covered and the fabric will be able to move freely. Gently wash the avocado stones and skins and add them to the saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until the water turns pink and then a deep maroon.
Step three Remove the avocado skins and stones, then add the fabric. It can be immersed in the dye while the dye is simmering or after the dye has steeped and cooled. I let it simmer for 1–2 hours, then turn off the heat and let it steep overnight. The longer it soaks, the more vibrant the colour will be.
Step four When the fabric reaches your desired shade, remove it from the dye. Rinse it in cool to warm water with a gentle fabric soap and then hang it up to dry. Once dry, use a sewing machine to hem the napkins.