Anyone who has ever picked elderberries before will know that they stain your hands a beautiful purple colour. But could this common berry be used for dyeing yarn, and would that colour stand the test of time? After a foraging foray in October 2023, I decided to reserve some elderberries for a dyeing experiment. Traditional […]
Dyeing
Dyeing with Lady’s Bedstraw (Spin Off, Spring 2023)
Learn about dyeing with Lady’s Bedstraw in the Spring 2023 issue of Spin Off! My article explains the history of the plant in Scotland, how to ethically forage for it, and how to produce lovely shades of coral and yellow. If you would like to find out more you can purchase a copy of Spin […]
Conservation of Color (Spin Off, Spring 2022)
The new issue of Spin Off is available now which includes my latest article, Conservation of Color. My article clarifies the science behind color in textiles and how dyes attach to fibers. Have you noticed your lovingly handmade textiles fading? I also explain why dyes lose their vibrancy over time and how you can reduce […]
A Textile Conservator’s Guide to Dyeing Notes
This post is an extension of my recent article in PLY magazine, “Dyeing Tips from a Textile Conservator.” In this article I discuss how important it is to take notes on your dyeing to improve your consistency and accuracy. Today I’ll show you how I take notes on dyeing and show how you can do […]