Lovely relaxing read. I feel this "Of course, as a gardener, I’m already thinking about what dye plants I can possibly grow here and what I can’t" — as an inner reflection—what can and what can't — always a good shifting. Thank you.
Super interesting. I never worked with natural dyes, only commercially made ones. I loved dyeing combed fiber for spinning. Your finished fabrics are gorgeous.
Thank you! The heavy wool is quite dreamy. Wool likes to be dyed more than cotton and linen, so I’m curious how that’s gonna go when I start dyeing them. I just dyed some more merino in an eastern brazilwood that is a beautiful red! The many nuances lurking within our plant companions is amazing!!
I always loved working with merino batts, as well as blended fibers with silk and merino or mohair and various wools. The mohair took the dyes so well. I still maintain connection to some incredible dyers in the fiber community. I was just one who tinkered with bits of this and that (not scientific at all! And very similar to the way I cook. 🤭 I don’t measure
I measure but I’m not good at consistently taking notes on what I’ve done. Just bought a handmade cotton rag sketchbook to be my “dyers journal” because I need the record book of my dye samples and notes to be beautiful too! 💃
Thank you Teyani—and Yes, back in the day when I was a fiber student, it was all about “fiber reactive” dyes. I’m really enjoying this switch to natural dyes. It’s a whole different sensibility!
This is so eloquent: “It relaxes me to sink into this process, to build a relationship with my dyeing partners both by giving—offering my focused attention to each step and the various tools, materials and elements—and by receiving—joyfully basking in the beauty of the color reward that emerges from this alchemy of water, plant and insect materials, and time.”
So interesting to read about your process. I used to work with fabric and dyes and hope to get back to it one day when I have a studio space again. The photos are inspiring! Love this.
Thank you Tina! I stepped away from working with fiber for over twenty years and created mixed media work for ages--which I still love to do, but it feels good to return to the dyeing process. And back in the day, it was all about 'fiber reactive dyes' which are still great, but I'm loving this pivot to natural dyes. <3
Sarah, I love this!! As a water deva, honoring water has been an integral part of my path--with water ritual woven into my workshops, retreats, and writing. I love your acknowledgement and attention to the alchemical role of water in making beauty, and your particular ritual around it.
I have a workshop module and accompanying journaling exercise that begins with the idea posited by Wallace Stevens, who said, “Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.” 💦💙
I love these synchronicities! And am so intrigued by your weaving water ritual into your workshops and retreats. And that quote from Wallace Stevens--that needs to go on my bulletin board! TY! <3
First, I'm in admiration and a bit of envy of your "dye" kitchen. What heaven to splash around and stew and simmer with dyes and fabrics! I imagined what I might be able to cook up outside - when the rain stops and the weather warms up. Water really is the key ingredient - that and patience. To slow down. My first dye attempts were impulsive botanical dyes and the images didn't last. Now, I relish the time to collect leaves, clean the fabrics, prepare the cloth... Your exploration has reinvigorated dye possibilities! Thank you Sarah -
Yes, when we bought this house, it had a rusticky kitchen in the area I wanted for my studio and I thought "Dye Kitchen!!" It is great. It's also where I grow seedlings so sometimes there's a lot of competition in there.
Regarding the botanical dyeing--I think there's a lot of pretty inspiration out there on social media that doesn't explain that a lot of botanical dyeing is fugitive. I haven't done any leaf staining myself, but perhaps you need to mordant the fabric first. And scouring makes a HUGE difference in the ability of even tried and true natural dyes to adhere. I'm taking an online class at Maiwa.com and they offer several very thorough video based classes that are on sale right now. You might want to check them out!
Oh I loved this essay! I loved learning about your morning water ritual (that's a great one for me to adopt!), and reading all about the process of dyeing fabric with natural dyes. I was so drawn in, feeling how in tune you are with the alchemy of the dyes, the water, and the fabric. I feel inspired too by your observation that process-oriented art like this creates intimacy with the physical world that can fill a hole in our industrialized, commerce-focused lives. Thank you!
Just in case you are in on a road trip in the Socorro, NM area….
There is a coffee shop (kind-of a big garage actually) Evetts Cafe in Magdalena. In addition to really great coffee he also has a bunch of offset printers. Interesting guy, a very cute chihuahua and great coffee.
Worth a detour if you two happen to be in the area birdwatching (not sure if you like bird watching) this spring.
What a fascinating process. Thanks for sharing it with us. I love how your mind considers the beauty of the process.
Thank you! When I’m aligned with my process I feel aligned to Source!
That’s one of the gifts of making art!
Lovely relaxing read. I feel this "Of course, as a gardener, I’m already thinking about what dye plants I can possibly grow here and what I can’t" — as an inner reflection—what can and what can't — always a good shifting. Thank you.
Happy holiday dear Sarah.
Thank you Prajna!! You too!
Super interesting. I never worked with natural dyes, only commercially made ones. I loved dyeing combed fiber for spinning. Your finished fabrics are gorgeous.
Thank you! The heavy wool is quite dreamy. Wool likes to be dyed more than cotton and linen, so I’m curious how that’s gonna go when I start dyeing them. I just dyed some more merino in an eastern brazilwood that is a beautiful red! The many nuances lurking within our plant companions is amazing!!
I always loved working with merino batts, as well as blended fibers with silk and merino or mohair and various wools. The mohair took the dyes so well. I still maintain connection to some incredible dyers in the fiber community. I was just one who tinkered with bits of this and that (not scientific at all! And very similar to the way I cook. 🤭 I don’t measure
I measure but I’m not good at consistently taking notes on what I’ve done. Just bought a handmade cotton rag sketchbook to be my “dyers journal” because I need the record book of my dye samples and notes to be beautiful too! 💃
Thank you Teyani—and Yes, back in the day when I was a fiber student, it was all about “fiber reactive” dyes. I’m really enjoying this switch to natural dyes. It’s a whole different sensibility!
The fabric and the colors you are creating are stunning. Cannot wait to see what you eventually create with all that yumminess.
This is so eloquent: “It relaxes me to sink into this process, to build a relationship with my dyeing partners both by giving—offering my focused attention to each step and the various tools, materials and elements—and by receiving—joyfully basking in the beauty of the color reward that emerges from this alchemy of water, plant and insect materials, and time.”
What a passage.
What a piece.
☺️ thank you James!
So interesting to read about your process. I used to work with fabric and dyes and hope to get back to it one day when I have a studio space again. The photos are inspiring! Love this.
Thank you Tina! I stepped away from working with fiber for over twenty years and created mixed media work for ages--which I still love to do, but it feels good to return to the dyeing process. And back in the day, it was all about 'fiber reactive dyes' which are still great, but I'm loving this pivot to natural dyes. <3
Sarah, I love this!! As a water deva, honoring water has been an integral part of my path--with water ritual woven into my workshops, retreats, and writing. I love your acknowledgement and attention to the alchemical role of water in making beauty, and your particular ritual around it.
I have a workshop module and accompanying journaling exercise that begins with the idea posited by Wallace Stevens, who said, “Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.” 💦💙
I love these synchronicities! And am so intrigued by your weaving water ritual into your workshops and retreats. And that quote from Wallace Stevens--that needs to go on my bulletin board! TY! <3
Me too! You are quite welcome. If you're interested, here's a little more detail on my water circles:
https://drwendypabich.com/womens-water-circles2
First, I'm in admiration and a bit of envy of your "dye" kitchen. What heaven to splash around and stew and simmer with dyes and fabrics! I imagined what I might be able to cook up outside - when the rain stops and the weather warms up. Water really is the key ingredient - that and patience. To slow down. My first dye attempts were impulsive botanical dyes and the images didn't last. Now, I relish the time to collect leaves, clean the fabrics, prepare the cloth... Your exploration has reinvigorated dye possibilities! Thank you Sarah -
Yes, when we bought this house, it had a rusticky kitchen in the area I wanted for my studio and I thought "Dye Kitchen!!" It is great. It's also where I grow seedlings so sometimes there's a lot of competition in there.
Regarding the botanical dyeing--I think there's a lot of pretty inspiration out there on social media that doesn't explain that a lot of botanical dyeing is fugitive. I haven't done any leaf staining myself, but perhaps you need to mordant the fabric first. And scouring makes a HUGE difference in the ability of even tried and true natural dyes to adhere. I'm taking an online class at Maiwa.com and they offer several very thorough video based classes that are on sale right now. You might want to check them out!
I live in the mountains on land the shares its water with our life. At Birch Bend we call it “The Champagne of the Earth.”
Oh my Gaia, I truly got a chill--so beautiful!
Oh I loved this essay! I loved learning about your morning water ritual (that's a great one for me to adopt!), and reading all about the process of dyeing fabric with natural dyes. I was so drawn in, feeling how in tune you are with the alchemy of the dyes, the water, and the fabric. I feel inspired too by your observation that process-oriented art like this creates intimacy with the physical world that can fill a hole in our industrialized, commerce-focused lives. Thank you!
I'm so glad it resonated. :) I look forward to hearing how it goes with creating your own water ritual!
Hi Sarah
Just in case you are in on a road trip in the Socorro, NM area….
There is a coffee shop (kind-of a big garage actually) Evetts Cafe in Magdalena. In addition to really great coffee he also has a bunch of offset printers. Interesting guy, a very cute chihuahua and great coffee.
Worth a detour if you two happen to be in the area birdwatching (not sure if you like bird watching) this spring.
Fun—thank you!!