LKS2 Topic: British Clothing Block C: Natural Dyes
Learn how natural dyes can be created from plant materials and gain knowledge of the clothes and
hats worn in the medieval period. Create natural dyes and use them to dye cotton, then create a period
outfit for a peg doll. Make a zigzag booklet of information on medieval clothing and hats for men and
women, rich and poor; play quiz games to consolidate your knowledge.
Block C: Natural Dyes
Main Outcome: History
[3 Sessions]
Other outcomes: D&T
By the end of this block you
can expect the following
outcomes:
Session 1 History and D&T
Colours from nature
Chn will explore how Medieval
people used natural dyes to colour
their clothing and how the
different types of dyes reflected
whether they were rich or poor.
Session 2 History and D&T
Medieval clothing in naturally
dyed fabrics
Medieval clothing in naturally dyed
fabrics
Chn will further explore Medieval
clothing and create their own
costumes for peg people.
Session 3 History and D&T
Medieval hats
Chn will consolidate their
knowledge of Medieval clothing.
They will explore more about
Medieval hats with a quiz and then
create their own hats for their peg
people.

Study an aspect or theme in British history (clothing) that extends pupils’
chronological knowledge beyond 1066.
 Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of
sources.
 Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, pupils
develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
 Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge understanding and skills in order to
design and make high quality prototypes and products.
Children will:
 Learn how dyes can be made from plant materials and how these are fixed using a
mordant.
 Chop dye stuffs to make natural dyes as in medieval times.
 Learn about medieval clothing for rich and poor.
 Create a medieval outfit for a cardboard figure and display it with a description of the
clothing used.
Children will:
 Learn about clothing in medieval times for rich and poor, men and women.
 Make a medieval style outfit for a peg doll using the hand dyed cotton fabric
created last session.
 Begin to create a zigzag booklet of information on medieval clothing using
acquired knowledge and research.
Children will:
 Learn about the different types of hats worn in medieval times and consolidate
knowledge with a quiz.
 Make a medieval style hat for their peg person using their own hand dyed fabric, felt
and card.
 Finish their zigzag information book by adding 4 new pages on medieval hats.
 Learn more about natural dyes and new developments in synthetic dyes by playing a
quiz game.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
LKS2 Topic: British Clothing Block C: Natural Dyes
Resources
Session 1
Provided: PowerPoint presentation on Dyeing clothes in Medieval times. Information sheets covering:
Teacher’s Instructions for Making and Using Natural Dye; Medieval clothing for Men and Women;
Medieval Clothing for Men; Medieval Clothing for Women & Medieval person with stand and 3d text
display card.
You will need: Access to the Internet; 1 metre of white 100% cotton sheeting cut into quarters (preprepared with a fixative (see teacher’s instructions); Ingredients for 4 plant dyes; 8 chopping boards, 8
knives suitable for children to chop vegetables; 4 large saucepans, 4 wooden spoons, access to a hob to
boil dyes. Pencil crayons, scissors, glue sticks, pens.
Session 2
Provided: PowerPoint presentation covering Medieval costumes & Instructions for making Medieval
costumes for peg people; Information sheets covering: Templates for Medieval costumes; How to
make Medieval costumes for peg people & Instructions for making a ZigZag book on Medieval clothing.
You will need: Access to the Internet; You will have dyed your 4 quarters of sheeting in the 4 plant
dyes you created last session, dried, ironed and cut them into rectangles as follows: 7cm X 5cm for
tights, 8cm X 14cm for short tunics, 8cm X 17cm surcoats, 8cm X 19cm for long tunics, and 3.5cm X
17cm for pinafores. Cut 20+ of each in different colours for a class of 30 chn. (Cut some of the
remaining fabric into thin strips for belts, and oddments for collars and for chn who want to create
their own designs); 6-8 sheets of the Medieval Costume template printed onto card (enough for 1
between 2 for half the class); Labelled clear plastic document pockets – one for each type of clothing
above, e.g. Tights, Long Tunics; Wooden dolly pegs (enough for 1 per child), Pipe cleaners (2 per child)
– traditional white or cream will look better than vibrantly coloured craft ones; Children’s fabric
scissors (enough for 1 between 2); Plastic pegs (to hold outfits together while the glue dries) and paper
clips (to use as a pushing tool); PVA glue (undiluted), glue pots, fine brushes with fairly stiff bristles to
spread the glue; sticky tack; Lengths of wool or string for ties and belts; A3 paper, pens, pencils, pencil
crayons; Access to internet/books/printouts on Medieval clothing.
Session 3
Provided: PowerPoint presentations covering: Medieval hats, How to make Medieval hats and hair &
Last one standing quiz; Information sheets covering: Medieval hat quiz answers; Instructions on how to
make Medieval hair and hats; Hat templates & Instructions for finishing your ZigZag book on Medieval
clothing.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Off-cuts of the remainder of the hand dyed fabric created in
session 1; Small pieces of card (for steeple hats); Fabric scissors, PVA glue undiluted, glue pots, fine
brushes with stiff bristles to apply PVA, tissue paper, classroom scissors, pencils; Wool in hair colours,
e.g. shades of brown, yellow, orange, grey and black; Some fine tipped permanent black marker pens;
Small off-cuts of felt in a natural (straw hat) shades, e.g. cream, light brown, yellow.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.