Dyeing of textiles with materials of plant origin has been familiar to people ever since the antiquity. These days, during archeological excavations of sites dating back before Christ, parts of textiles dyed with plants are discovered. For example the blue colour was obtained from indigo plant and the red colour -from madder. Everywhere the natural dyes were used up to the middle of 19th c. After that time the synthetic paints came into the market. The people adopted them quickly, as the dyeing with them was easier and faster. But on the other hand the dyes obtained from plants are incredibly beautiful. They can be quite saturated as well as scarcely notable with mild shades. Up to 15-20 shades can be obtained from one plant. Roots, barks, leaves, stalks and blossoms can be used as dyeing material.
    In the past the irrational use of the plants for dyeing led to the extinction of some sorts. Many of the dyeing plants have also and medicinal properties. We have to have this fact in mind in our work with them and to use them economically.
    Unlike the synthetic plants, it's very difficult and almost impossible to obtain exactly the same colour from the plant dyes. It depends at what time of the year the plant material has been picked, where the plant has been grown as well as the quality of the dyeing material. To obtain different shades of colours the yarn has to be treated with alum. To this effect aluminium, cupric and ferrous sulfates are used most often. The dyeing is done also and in acid and alkaline base.
    The dyeing with plants is quite a long process but the results that can be obtained deserve the necessary patience.