Birmingham Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers holds a dyeing day every other year. It’s hosted by one of our members, Sarah, who prepares a selection of different natural dyes which are bubbling away in pots in her garden through the day. As an attendee, you just need to bring along prepared fibre, yarn or
Naturally Dyed Patchwork Sport Shorts Read More »
Just a quick post to let you know that, thanks to the lovely Kerry, I’m featured in the September issue of Sewing World magazine (which has been on sale since mid-August, I’m late posting…). Kerry writes a regular article for the magazine, with the September issue’s on the topic of natural dyeing. I’m featured alongside
Sewing World Natural Dyeing Article Read More »
My dye plant seeds are sprouting! As part of my #naturallydyedwardrobe project, I wanted to share some favourite online resources about natural dyeing: Folk Fibers – I love both the beautiful naturally dyed products, and the blog posts about natural dyeing (use the search bar and keywords ‘natural dye’ to locate them). In particular, see the
A Naturally Dyed Wardrobe: Favourite Online Resources Read More »
Woad Seeds I’ve written a short post for The Fold Line blog today on natural dyeing. It reminded me that I haven’t blogged about my #naturallydyedwardrobe project lately. I have done less natural dyeing recently, it’s not as tempting in the winter – even though there are still plenty of available plant materials. However, I have
A Naturally Dyed Wardrobe Update Read More »
During 2015, my Guild ran a year-long natural dyeing project with Winterbourne House, a local museum. Each month, the gardeners at Winterbourne provided plant material (flower heads, bark, leaves, etc.) which the guild tested for their natural dye properties. To explore the varied colours that can be achieved through the use of mordants and modifiers, eights small skeins of
A Year in Colour Exhibition Read More »
I realised that I hadn’t written a wrap-up post about my experience of participating in #1year1outfit during 2015. It’s partly because using British fibres has seeped into my making (particularly my knitting) to such an extent that it doesn’t feel like there is an end point. However, I thought I should acknowledge the impact that Nicki’s
Indigo & Logwood Dyed Silk Dress & One Year One Outfit Thoughts Read More »
As mentioned back in March, marigold was one of the plants I decided to grow from seed last year to use for natural dyeing. However, I bought quite a few of my dye plant seeds from the local garden centre, as opposed to a shop specialising in seeds for dye plants such as Wild Colours.
Not So Successful Marigold Dyeing Read More »
My second article for Seamwork magazine was published in their December issue. The article is a profile of Cluny Lace, the only remaining company in the UK making leaver’s lace using traditional leavers and jacquard machinery, which was also designed and built in Nottingham. Cluny Lace is a family-run business, and has been in the family for 9
British Cluny Lace & Silk Savannah Camisole Read More »
When I started experimenting with natural dyeing, I initially assumed that I wouldn’t have much luck in the UK with solar dyeing, particularly in the winter, due to the fact there isn’t all that much sun. However, I decided to give it a try with some fungi that sprout in our lawn every Autumn. These
Solar Dyeing with Fungi & Biden Read More »
I recently got the chance to spend a Saturday in my garden dyeing with indigo. A mixture of fibres went into my indigo dye vat, including: A lingerie kit purchased from Merckwaerdigh. I purchased it with the intention of dyeing it, so selected a nude and copper kit, which was the lightest coloured kit in