Natural Dyes
Natural dyes are a foundation for many of our products. We love when spring rolls around and the huge cast iron pots come out of storage, allowing us, once again, to dye outdoors. As soon as the annual county-wide burn ban is lifted, the first fire is lit using dye materials gathered and stored over winter: dried polypore mushrooms, tansy buttons, wind-blown lichens. Each dye-pot is unique, and can never be replicated in exactly the same way (even if we wanted to!). Part of the pleasure of natural dyeing comes from working in sync with the seasons, as well as the ever-changing (and deeply unpredictable) weather. Once in bloom, local flowers and plants, harvested sustainably (leaving plenty behind for wildlife and regeneration) are used for color. Natural variations in shades and tones occur, depending on the time of year organic materials are collected. With proper care, fibers dyed with naturally-derived pigments are quite durable, and can last a long time.
photo credit: Randazzo & Blau
Caring for your naturally dyed fibers:
Store out of direct sunlight
Hand or machine wash with like colors in cool water using a PH neutral detergent
There is slight color loss at the first washing
Lay flat or hang to dry
Variations in color and some vegetable matter is normal