Eco Dyed Clothing, Paper Products, Art Prints
What is Eco Dyeing?
Eco dyeing is the process of using nature's gifts of flowers, leaves, bark, nuts, and other products the earth provides. Dyers all over Europe, Asia, Australia, and Central and Latin America have been dyeing fabric this way for centuries. The movement is growing in the United States and Canada because people are finding that the harsh chemicals used in mass-manufactured clothing are not only harmful to the earth, but can be irritating to your skin.
Knitters are sourcing for eco dyed yarn, available in a myriad of earthy and floral colors. Natural dyed textiles appeal to weavers and other textile artists.
Eco Dyed Fabric
I mainly dye organic cotton fabric, along with some wool and silk. The colors produced vary, often dependent on the type of fabric. I shop for white clothing at Goodwill Stores, second-hand shops, and estate sales. I love to take a plain top, dress, pants, and even vintage tablecloths and napkins and create new colors and patterns.
Items that I purchase new for dyeing include home decor such as table runners, tea towels, pillow cases, and decorative pillow covers. All my protective arm sleeves and aprons are purchased new as well.
The organic cotton fabric for my scarves and shawls comes from Maiwa, a natural textile and dye house located in Vancouver, BC. I also buy their natural dye products. Additionally, I purchase dye extracts and mordants from Botanical Colors in Seattle, WA.
Eco Dyed Paper
Paper as Art and Function
I use watercolor paper of various weights for my bookmarks, notecards, postcards, and framed artwork. Heavier paper absorbs more liquid, thereby producing deeper colors, resulting in a more robust notecard with a thicker feel than ordinary cards. Paper can also adopt the texture of a plant, such as a stem or a leaf. This is one of the differences that makes my dyed paper pieces unique; a card is more than a card – it's a piece of art!
All my notecards are printed front and back, so there is no definitive "front" of the card; it's the side you choose. Because the inside of each card absorbs some of the dye, a plain card insert is added for note writing.
Any of my eco dyed prints can be framed to add to the beauty of your own home decor.
