Natural Dyeing

    Young folks these days are always fascinated to learn that before the 1860s the only colors people could have for their clothes came either off the back of the animal (white, brown, black), or were skillfully coaxed out of a plethora of gathered plant leaves, roots, and bark. The skills to pull these colors out are not lost, just sadly seldom taught to young folks these days. 

    In this class I cover fiber types, preparation for dyeing (mordanting), and the dye pot process. Like magic, we make orange, chestnut brown, mauve, and brilliant yellow appear on what was once plain white wool!