All Blog Posts

NATURALLY DYEING WITH DYER’S COREOPSIS (Coreopsis tinctoria)

August 26, 2023 • Claudia Gosse • All Blog Posts • Natural Dyeing • Sustainable Textiles

Coreopsis tinctoria is one of over 75 species in the family Asteraceae. Originally native to the prairies of North America it is now cultivated world-wide and comes in a range of yellows and reds or, like Coreopsis tinctoria, yellow with red centres. As the word ‘tinctoria’ indicates this is a recognised dye plant and although historical reference to it is limited, it is known to have been used as a source of natural dye by the plains tribes of North America. It’s also thought to have been used by the early civilisations of Central and South America. Sometimes called ‘tickseed’, a reference to its insect-like seeds, the plant was reportedly used in bedding to ward off bedbugs.

NATURAL DYEING WITH COMFREY (Symphytum officinale)

July 31, 2023 • Claudia Gosse • All Blog Posts • Natural Dyeing • Sustainable Textiles

Comfrey leaves can be foraged for dyeing throughout the summer, and I didn’t have to go far to gather a basketful. I wanted enough leaves to dye my fibres at 200% WOF (weight of fibre). So as I planned to dye 100g of fibres I needed 200g of comfrey leaves, which I then left outside for a couple of hours to give the insect life a chance to depart.

NATURAL DYEING WITH STINGING NETTLES (Urtica dioica)

June 29, 2023 • Claudia Gosse • All Blog Posts • Natural Dyeing • Sustainable Textiles

My interest in nettles is, of course, as a dye plant and I was interested to learn that during World War II children were encouraged to collect nettles for the production of a dark green dye for camouflage material.

You can forage for nettles throughout the summer, but it’s preferable to gather them in the spring when they are still fresh and bright green. These nettles were gathered in early June when some were beginning to flower.

NATURAL DYEING WITH SAFFLOWERS

May 28, 2023 • Claudia Gosse • All Blog Posts • Natural Dyeing • Sustainable Textiles

Dyeing with safflowers has always been a bit of a mystery to me, but when I was given a bunch last summer I had to give them a try. Knowing their reputation for being more ‘fugitive’ than ‘fast’ I wasn’t over hopeful but, I thought, there must be a reason why people have been naturally dyeing with safflower petals for millenia.

IN-PERSON 2 DAY TABLE WEAVING WORKSHOPS

May 28, 2023 • Ellie Fisher • All Blog Posts • Sustainable Textiles • Weaving

Are you keen on learning how to hand weave your own fabric? From humble tea towels and table runners to scarves and dress making fabrics, this relaxed and friendly two-day workshop will teach you everything you need to know to get set up and weaving at home.

Run by me, Ellie Fisher (BA., MA Central St Martins College of Art and Design). I have been weaving for over 20 years and love passing on my love of this craft for others to enjoy.

Our in-person table weaving workshops take place over two days to ensure there is time to cover everything from setting up the loom to experimenting with weaving.

NATURALLY DYEING WITH DYER’S COREOPSIS (Coreopsis tinctoria)

NATURAL DYEING WITH COMFREY (Symphytum officinale)

NATURAL DYEING WITH STINGING NETTLES (Urtica dioica)

NATURAL DYEING WITH SAFFLOWERS

IN-PERSON 2 DAY TABLE WEAVING WORKSHOPS

ENJOY 15% OFF site-wide when you join our monthly newsletter