Dyeing Gourds With Coffee

Remove any dirt from the gourd with a damp cloth. If necessary, use a mild dish-washing detergent and water solution to clean the gourd’s surface.

Sketch or trace the pattern you want on the gourd onto the tracing paper.

Place the transfer paper and the pattern on the gourd. Secure the pattern to the gourd with masking tape.

Trace the pattern lines with a pencil or stylus to transfer them to the gourd’s surface. Remove the pattern paper and tape.

Cut away the top surface of the gourd with the craft knife. Remember that the areas you cut away will remain naturally light in color and the uncut areas will be dyed. Take care to cut only the thin skin of the gourd, rather than cutting into the thicker shell.

Cut an opening in the gourd. Placement of the opening will depend on how you plan to use the finished product.

Pour cooled, strong coffee into the gourd, filling it past any areas that you want to dye.

Place the gourd in a cool place for two to three weeks.

Pour out any remaining coffee and any of the soft flesh of the gourd that comes with it.

Peel away the remaining skin of the gourd, using a craft knife, to reveal the darkened areas.

Place the gourd in a cool, dry place until it becomes hard. This will probably take an additional week or more, depending on the air’s humidity levels.