When it comes to natural dyeing, Shepherd Textiles Walnut Hull Natural Dye is a classic choice for achieving beautiful brown shades on wool and silk fibers. This product contains coarsely ground dried hulls of black walnut, which have been used for centuries in the eastern U.S. for dyeing purposes. The rich compound juglone found in walnut hulls acts as a potent natural dye, giving various shades of brown depending on the concentration used.

The versatility of this dye is one of its key strengths. At lower concentrations, around 25% weight-of-fabric (WOF), you can achieve creamy milk chocolate and cappuccino shades. By increasing the concentration to 100% WOF and adding iron to the dyebath, you can achieve rich toffee and dark chocolate hues. This flexibility allows for a range of brown tones to be achieved, making it a versatile option for natural dyers.

One of the advantages of Shepherd Textiles Walnut Hull Natural Dye is the quality of the hulls themselves. They are wild-gathered in Tennessee, dried in the sun, and coarsely ground in the studio right before packaging. This ensures that the product is as fresh as possible, which can result in more vibrant and consistent dye results.

The basic instructions provided for dyeing with this product are clear and easy to follow. From mordanting with alum (optional but recommended for improved lightfastness) to building the dyebath, simmering the fibers, rinsing, and drying, the step-by-step guide walks you through the entire dyeing process. It also includes important safety precautions when working with mordants, emphasizing the importance of wearing gloves and eye protection.

In terms of value for money, Shepherd Textiles Walnut Hull Natural Dye offers a cost-effective way to achieve beautiful natural browns on your fibers. With four ounces of freshly ground black walnut hulls in a package, you have enough dye to experiment and create multiple projects. The product is competitively priced compared to other natural dyes on the market, making it a good option for both beginners and experienced dyers.

Customer reviews of this product are overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 70 reviews. Customers praise the quality of the dye and the consistency of the results, with many noting the richness and warmth of the brown shades achieved. The convenience of having freshly ground walnut hulls ready to use is also a highlight for many users.

Overall, Shepherd Textiles Walnut Hull Natural Dye is a highly recommended product for anyone looking to experiment with natural dyeing and achieve beautiful brown shades on wool and silk fibers. Its quality, versatility, clear instructions, and positive customer feedback make it a valuable addition to any dyer’s toolkit.