Natural Dye Process

Each color comes from the earth—indigo from fermented leaves, warm reds from madder root, golden yellows from onion skins and turmeric. The process is slow and meditative, requiring patience and an acceptance of the beautiful unpredictability of natural materials.

Extracting dye from bark
Extracting natural dyes from bark and plant materials
Dye pots
Simmering fabrics in natural dye baths
Yellow dyed fabric
The reveal of turmeric-dyed silk
Multiple dye baths
Multiple dye baths creating a spectrum of colors
Madder root dyeing
Dyeing with madder root
Color gradient
A gradient of naturally dyed fabrics
Indigo drying outdoors
Indigo-dyed fabrics oxidizing in the sun
Stack of dyed fabrics
A palette of naturally dyed linens and cottons
Fabric samples on wall
Natural dye samples on the studio wall