213. TO DYE STRAW COLOUR AND YELLOW

Saffron, steeped in earthen and strained, colours a fine straw
colour. It makes a delicate or deep shade, according to the strength
of the tea. Colouring yellow is described in receipt No. 212. In all
these cases a little bit of alum does no harm, and may help to fix
the colour. Ribbons, gauze handkerchiefs, &c., are coloured well in
this way, especially if they be stiffened by a bit of gum-arabic,
dropped in while the stuff is steeping.


214. TO DYE A DRAB COLOUR

Take plum tree sprouts, and boil them an hour or more; add copperas,
according to the shade you wish your articles to be. White ribbons
take very pretty in this dye.


215. TO DYE PURPLE

Boil an ounce of cochineal in a quart of vinegar. This will afford a
beautiful purple.


216. TO DYE BROWN

Use a teaspoonful of soda to an ounce of cochineal, and a quart of
soft water.