NATURAL DYEING

There’s a long and rich history of dyeing fabrics with plants, and the methods that we use today haven’t changed a great deal over the millenia. We still draw on ancient knowledge and practices and take inspiration from the past. For example, Scottish tartans were traditionally dyed with plants, with each pattern reflecting its region’s tree bark, lichen, roots, berries and leaves. In the same way, we too can develop our own unique palette of dyes from the local flora.

I like to think about dyeing as similar to cooking: we should learn the basics, but keep in mind that there are countless approaches and that it’s fun to experiment. The principles I outline here are just a starting point and I encourage you to slow down and notice the plants and materials around you, as well as the shifts in colour in your dye pot.

GATHER

Dye plants

A list of local dye plants could be incredibly varied and long depending on where you live. Colours will be specific to your region, so you might make a pinker dye from weeping willow, but my