Botanical Colors

Sunday Visit: Lindsay Degen of Degen Knitwear

Sunday Visit is our interview series that invites you to settle in with a cup of tea as we sit down with a visionary from the natural dye, textile, and art world. This week, we’re thrilled to share our conversation with Lindsay Degen, founder of DEGEN knitwear, whose playful approach to knitting and bold, geometric motifs have made her a standout in contemporary craft. Like all our Sunday Visits, this interview dives deep into Lindsay’s creative journey-from her earliest stitches learned as a child, to her innovative partnership with Botanical Colors exploring the painterly possibilities of natural dyes. We hope you … Read more

Mordant Monday: Overdyeing: Indigo First, or Indigo Second?

We get mordant questions all the time at Botanical Colors so why not create Mordant Monday??? Got mordanting questions? Email [email protected] YOU ASKED: Do you always dye indigo first before overdyeing with another color? Does it make any difference? KATHY ANSWERED: When I was starting out, I was advised to dye with indigo first, rinse, mordant my fabric, and then dye with a mordant color second in order to create any type of compound color when indigo is involved. We largely agree with this as most of our production colors start with an indigo shade that we dip. We seem … Read more

Sunday Visit: Hudson Valley Seed Company

Welcome to this week’s Sunday Visit, our ongoing interview series where we explore the creative, inspiring, and deeply rooted stories shaping our botanical and fiber community. Today, we’re thrilled to sit down with the Hudson Valley Seed Company, a pioneering force in preserving biodiversity, seed storytelling, and sustainable agriculture from their vibrant base in Accord, New York. From humble beginnings in a public library catalog to becoming the largest producer of Northeast-grown and adapted seeds, the Hudson Valley Seed Company has blossomed into a national leader in open-pollinated, heirloom, and organic seeds-each one packaged in artist-designed envelopes that celebrate the living … Read more

Mordant Monday: Does Indigo Damage Mordants

We get mordant questions all the time at Botanical Colors so why not create Mordant Monday??? Got mordanting questions? Email [email protected] 2 light indigo dips on mordanted silk before immersing in exhaust dye baths to make pastels YOU ASKED: My question involves the processes of indigo dyeing when combined with other plant dyes that have been mordanted with aluminum acetate. My understanding is that citric acid discharges the mordant and also neutralizes the alkalinity of indigo as a last step in finishing indigo dyed cloth. How would you go about neutralizing indigo without discharging mordant? For some processes, I am … Read more

Sunday Visit: Madeleine MacGillivray, Climate Activism & Knowing Your Super Power

For this week’s Sunday Visit interview series, we are delighted to feature Madeleine MacGillivray, a lifelong climate justice advocate, science communicator, and sustainability expert. From founding her first climate project at the age of nine to serving as the Climate Communications and Policy Coordinator at Seeding Sovereignty, Madeleine has dedicated her life to addressing the urgent intersections of plastics, climate, and environmental justice. With an MSc in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and extensive experience in microplastics research and advocacy, she brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and grassroots activism. Join us as we explore her inspiring journey, her … Read more

Mordant Monday: What is Dunging?

Cellulose fibers are the most common fiber that we start with as cotton fabric is readily available and affordable. However, cotton does not have the same affinity for natural dyes as protein fibers such as wool, so the cellulose mordant process is different to achieve good results. The mordant process for cellulose fibers includes pretreating with a tannin, then immersing the tannin treated fabric into an alum solution. This method is one of the earliest mordant methods for cellulose fibers and produces very good results. We use this method regularly as we also love to experiment with different tannins to … Read more

Sunday Visit: Kalen Kaminski of Upstate

For this week’s Sunday Visit interview series, we are excited to feature Kalen Kaminski, the creative force behind Upstate, a vibrant New York-based studio renowned for its handcrafted textiles, apparel, and glassware. With a background in set design and prop styling, Kalen has cultivated a unique aesthetic that blends whimsy with sustainability. Inspired by nature and global travels, she crafts one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect her passion for color and experimentation. From her early days as a prop stylist to founding Upstate, Kalen’s journey is a testament to innovation and collaboration, as she continues to push boundaries in design while advocating … Read more

multicolored dyed eggs in a green ceramic bowl

Dye Easter Eggs With Natural Dyes

Everyone from kids to adults love to get their hands messy when they dye Easter eggs with natural dyes. This is a fun tutorial for adults and kiddos (parents help, please) to make a little Easter magic. First things first, let’s talk about health & safety: We always recommend working in a very well ventilated area. Although natural dyes are non-toxic, when using fine powders it’s best to wear a mask, and keep the windows open. Be mindful around little ones and pets as you don’t want anything going in mouths that shouldn’t be there. Also, when beginning to set … Read more

Mordant Monday: Nerd Week at Sanborn Mills Farm

I’m at the airport after teaching for 5 days at Sanborn Mills Farm in New Hampshire. Sanborn Mills Farm is a working organic farm and craft school specializing in traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, woodworking, basketry, kitchen and textile arts. We saw newborn lambs, massive draft horses and oxen and dormant grain fields just starting their spring activity. Sanborn Mills Farm is one of my favorite places to teach with a dye garden a few steps away and trails and farm animals to visit and observe. The weather was typical unsettled early spring and we encountered high winds, heavy rain, … Read more

Sunday Visit: Prairie Underground

Sunday Visit is our Interview series where we sit down to interview exciting members of our community about their process, inspirations and learn about what makes them tick. Today we interview one of our collaborators and dye house clients Prairie Underground. We learn about the women behind the sustainable brand, how they got started and how they navigate the world of fashion and natural dyes. The photos from this series are a special behind the sneak peak of their upcoming Indigo collection we dyed for them in Seattle. They were taken by Elisa Clements Tell us your origin story, how … Read more