Gathering Blue

We just finished reading a book called Gathering Blue by Louis Lowry. (It's part of The Giver series.) In the story there is a girl who is learning the art of coloring threads--what plants make what colors and how to make the best dyes. We had a little discussion of where the colors in our clothes come from (mostly chemicals) and what plants can make dyes. It tied into how lengthy and difficult the process was and how royalty could afford to have their clothes dyed. We decided to give it a try. After doing a little research we learned that it was a LOOOONG process and needed some items that I didn't have. So, we modified it a little. We mashed up some blueberries (a plant that is/was actually used in dyeing), put them in a pot with some water, added a strip of muslin and simmered it for an hour or two. Then we rinsed the cloth and hung it up to dry. And, guess what?!? It was purple! The kids thought it was neat and were surprised it worked.