Natural Dyeing is an ancient knowledge almost lost in this modern technological age. Natural Dyeing is a process oriented hands-on practice that extracts pigments form plants to derive color used in dyeing, painting and staining. This process encompasses identification, collection, preparation of the dye stuffs, extraction, mordanting and finally the preparations for dyeing or painting.

This process done in the old traditional fashion, namely out of doors over an open fire pit, can connect the spirit to the earth like none else. The communion with nature alone during the collections process, the time spent walking and gathering during various times of the season, will connect your soul with Mother Nature's.

Your physical engagement during the preparation of the dye stuffs will keep you strong and agile. Soaking, chopping, cutting, fermenting the collected plants are part of getting ready for extraction. Building the fire and tending it is another pre-requisite of physical nature and will teach you to choose favorable weather conditions for working outdoors.

The extraction process over the fire pit is a labor intensive but rewarding task. For me it always evokes ancient memories. The warmth of the fire and the smells of charcoal and the odors of the plant extracts give me a deeply satisfying feeling.

Plant parts used for dyeing are berries, roots, barks, stems, leaves, flowers, lichens, mushrooms, mosses. Each plant has its own secret for extracting the best colors. Some need soaking for several days, some fermenting for several weeks, others are immediately ready for extraction. A nice collection of soils, sands and rotten barks are wonderful to use as a natural pigment and to add texture.

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Please join me at one of my Natural Dye Workshops (see schedule on workshop page) or contact me to create a workshop in your neighborhood. I will be glad to travel to your accommodation. Thank you for you interest in Natural Dyeing.

Let's keep this earth clean and beautiful!