All Blog Posts — Natural Dyeing

WATERCOLOUR PAINT   FLEABANE  (Pulicaria dysenterica) Common Fleabane, a native to Europe and Asia, is in the daisy family (Asteraceae). Growing up to a meter tall it can easily be spotted in the hedgerows in late summer, between the end of July and September, where it favours damp conditions alongside ditches. Fleabane and Ragwort Its bright yellow flowering heads could be mistaken at first sight for Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), but a closer look at both the flower and the leaves will quickly tell them apart.  These two were found growing along the same stretch of a lane near my home in...

 BACK TO NATURE  Natural Paints Workshop What a lovely way to spend a warm summer’s evening!  I was invited by Asia, of Back to Nature, to speak to a women’s group at their Vallis Veg site, situated on a hillside in gently rolling countryside, near Frome in Somerset.  As I stepped out of the car the immersive effect of the surrounding trees and grasses was immediately welcoming. I'd been asked to talk about the natural colours that can be extracted from plants and made into paints; something that I do regularly on my Elka Textiles workshops.  The group was made...

  Over the years that our natural dyeing and natural inks and paints workshops in Mere have been running, some people have come a long way to attend, so for those that want to make a weekend of it, we thought it would be good to tell you a bit about our small town and some of the best things to see and do in the area. Mere is situated just off the A303, in the beautiful Blackmore Vale, where the borders of Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset meet. The rich history of this Wiltshire town dates back to prehistoric times,...

NATURAL DYEING WITH BROWN ONION SKINS At this time of year, while I’m waiting for spring to bring forth fresh nettles and a carpet of dandelions for my natural dyeing, I turn to the kitchen for inspiration.  My first choice is definitely brown onion skins which I save up over the weeks - or rummage for in the bottom of an unguarded box.   Onion skins are rich in tannins and classed as a ‘direct’ (or substantive) natural dye, meaning they can be used without a ‘mordant’ - see Basic Terminology at the end of this blog for more information....

Your chance to be part of a local green initiative, supporting the wellbeing and education of our children through outdoor learning.  What are our plans? At Kings Somborne Primary School in Hampshire we are in the process of transforming the largely unused outdoor garden area into a multifunctional space for outdoor learning. We aim to create a legacy for our future children by designing a space that will support children’s development now and in years to come. Alongside the development of the physical space, we will be building an online learning hub which will grow with the garden, providing a...