Nature is nurture; the act of culling color and fixing dye to cloth is creating a relationship between plant and animal kingdom or an agreement between plants. In the last year of the pandemic I grew my knowledge of plant dyes by learning from some of my dye heroes and growing a dye garden from seed. Many mornings I gathered withering rose petals, coreopsis, marigold, cosmos blossoms and finally harvesting seeds. This Spring I continued the process, tucking the first seedlings in their warm beds a few weeks ago and observing the second year of Muraski and Madder sprouts but waiting for the root to develop for harvest.
Dye baths are tricky and sometimes there are surprise results, but there is always cause which creates effect and thereby detective work to learn the hidden factors effecting dye results. Last year I tested over dyeing indigo and weld, avocado pit and indigo relationships, over dyed logwood, black hopi sunflower seed dye and many flower prints! I use many of the flowers to create inks for watercolor art too where reactive agents can be implemented for color shifts.
I found an excellent source of organic, drought tolerant Indian cotton, Kala cotton, to compliment these designs; the eco sourcing of textiles growing from vintage and second run textiles to organic and sustainable natural fibers. As an artist in exploration of craft techniques and expression, experimentation is a great joy and teacher. My favorite dyes are some of the boldest: bright pink cochineal, chartreuse indigo and weld and the seagreen ecoprint with black Hopi sunflower seeds which I will add to my website through the Spring or make available through local shops. I hope you enjoy the results!