THREAD CULT: EPISODE #2, GROW YOUR OWN NATURAL DYES!
by Daughter Fish
Last October, I had the opportunity to learn about shibori dyeing with indigo at the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan. The experience made me curious about working with other natural dyes, so I headed over to chat with Isa Rodrigues (in the picture up top), studio manager at the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn, who started a natural dye garden and CSA this past summer. In this second episode of Thread Cult, Isa and I delve into the botanical wonderland that one can grow, scavenge, and find lurking in your pantry.
I meant to post this episode last week, but technical difficulties south of the border (more on that later) kept me from doing so.
Below are a few pictures of the Textile Arts Center in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn. It’s kind of a textile geek’s paradise. I wanted to live there. For you last minute holiday shoppers, check out the Textile Arts Center’s online shop. They’ve got some beautiful handmade items, as well as supplies.
Hope you enjoy!
Episode #2: Grow Your Own Natural Dyes
Looms in the Textile Arts Center
Dried plants for natural dyeing.
Natural dye swatches
Weaving in process
Highlights from Episode #2:
Sewing Seeds Project [Isa is still working on the online resource list for this, I will post the link when it's up!]
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sunflowers
Marigolds
Coreopsis
Dahlias
Mordant
Purple basil
Japanese Indigo
Weld
Goldenrods
Hibiscus
Golden Fennel
Cochineal
Madder root
Plum tree branches
Turkish rugs
Aluminium salt
Marigold
Onion skins
The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes: Personalize Your Craft with Organic Colors from Acorns, Blackberries, Coffee, and other Everyday Ingredients, by Sasha Duerr
Black walnut tree
Turmeric
Rhubarb leaves
Great show, very interesting. I also took a natural dye class here in LA. I would love to try growing some of the plants!
Thanks! I think I may have seen your post about dyeing in LA. I know, I would love to grow some of these plants this summer, too.
From the day you posted about your shibori dying workshop, I have been very jealous! Dying is an area of design/sewing (does it fall into the realm of sewing?) that I have yet to delve into. Until I master lingerie, I’ll just look in awe I guess
It’s definitely an artform that you could emerse yourself in. I suffer from being a grazer when it comes to my sewing/design projects. I should really dig deeper into one thing, but I get so distracted/interested in everything else!