On a warm thundery day on July, 23 members of the local community gathered together at Blackwell Community Centre to try their hand at natural dying.
Olivia from Suspended in Sunbeam, Naturally Dyed Textiles, talked us through the different flora and fauna and how they can be used to make a range of colours.
We learnt that different materials respond differently when used as dyes. Protein and cellulose fabrics take up colour differently while the balance of acid and alkaline also effect the final colours. Olive talked us through how adding onion skins and iron can tint colours to red and brown while anything flower based is always yellow in tone.
It was surprising to learn that despite nature surrounding us in an abundence of green, green dye is remarkably hard to create.
Participants got to pass around different materials and give them a sniff and feel before getting stuck into applying materials to their own silk scarves.
Once their dyes were applied to the fabric the scarves were bundled up with string and participants had time for a cuppa and cake while they had a relaxing chat together.
Then the exciting reveal moment as everyone got to open up their scarves and see what colours and patterns they had created.
Look at all the wonderful designs….
Participants gave some wonderful feedback of the event with comments such as…
“very enjoyable and productive”
“informative, interesting and lots of fun”
“brilliant session, can’t wait to try dying some wool at home to crochet with”
