This week’s FEEDBACK FRIDAY was with quilt artist Kim Eichler-Messmer. Kim has been hand-dyeing fabric for nearly 20 years. In 2015 she made the decision to switch from using synthetic dyes to natural dyes and began a journey of learning and discovery, guided by experts in the field such as Catharine Ellis and Michel Garcia. […]
Continue Reading-
FEEDBACK FRIDAY: This Week in Natural Dye Questions
Each week, we are emailed with questions from our natural dye community asking simple and complex questions that we thought might be worth sharing. Here are a handful from this week answered by natural dyer in chief, Kathy Hattori, Founder of Botanical Colors: Are all synthetic dyes made from petroleum? Synthetic dyes are a huge […]
Continue Reading -
On Makers Row: 8 Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Colors and Dyes
(Previously published on Makers Row) What are natural dyes? Natural dyes are textile colorants that are derived from plants, insects and other natural materials. They are steeped in history, mystery and lore and each culture has its own set of prized colors, traditions and meanings. Prior to the mid-19th century, all dyes were from the […]
Continue Reading -
Natural vs. Synthetic Dyes: The (Ill-Informed) Battle Continues
Botanical Colors founder Kathy Hattori recently commented on an article titled “Mordant Madness!” on Buxton, Maine based Lana Plantae responding to a discussion about a person posting on a “social media page devoted to fiber arts,” that they were “attacked” by natural dyers at a fiber event because their wool was colored with synthetic […]
Continue Reading -
Today on Makers Row: 5 Things to Know Before Choosing Chemical Dyes
We are so excited to have our first post on the Makers Row blog. Talk about a bevy of really important industry information! Thanks to Makers Row for the opportunity to write. Botanical Colors founder Kathy Hattori writes: “Sustainable design often means a concerted effort to really dig into the details of one’s supply chain […]
Continue Reading -
Interview: Appalatch Apparel Sees Natural Dyes As An Ethical & Environmental Bonus
We are so excited to announce our recent collaboration with Appalatch Clothing. Appalatch told us, "One glaring place that we would love to improve upon is the use of natural instead of synthetic dyes which we know is more toxic to people and the environment. Unfortunately, we haven't found an American industrial dye house that [...] Continue Reading