indigo - here we go!

I've been looking forward to dyeing with natural indigo for a long-long time, but I've been putting it off because it is unlike all other dye-plants. It is an ancient an unique source of colour that works through an elaborate process of oxidation, reacting to the air to bring out the beautiful blue shades.
now finally the blues are here, and I'm thrilled with the first results of my dye experiments.

me, not noticing that there was a hole in the gloves I used while dyeing with indigo

cotton gauze scarf, oxidising after removal from the dye vat

oxidation, phase 1.

oxidation, phase 2.

oxidation, phase 3 - the blues are all here!

blues, and more blues!

indigo on 20 different fabric swatches

photoshoot props

lovely findsfrom the recent dye plant walk took centre stage today at a BOTANIKA photoshoot for the Budapest Design Week catalogue - can't wait to tell you more!

dye plant walk

we went for a dye plant walk yesterday on the outskirts of Budapest, and identified over 15 beautiful natural dye-sources, including St John's wort and Viper's Bugloss as well as some more common varieties such as walnut, elder and wild cherry.

 

St. John's Wort

Viper's Bugloss

macramé & natural dyes

first experiments

dyed uing onion skins and rose petals

new clutch

a new clutch style in soft pastel shades

greens and blues

forest canopy

mineral pendants in shades of green and blue

sorbet colours

naturally dyed cotton gauze scarves