Naturally Dyed Workshop

Every blogger loves photography. I love photography. I take photos everyday when going for a walk, working in the garden, doing creative stuff at home, or going out for a cup of coffee. I usually find something interesting to photograph. I have been posting on my "daily inspiration" blog every day for nearly 100 days now. Thanks to my iPad that enables me to make a quick post each day. I just love this technology! 

Last Sunday I went to a dye workshop at Naturally Dyed with Jacky, Dot and Ro. Apart from having a great day dyeing at Jude's studio I really enjoyed taking photographs of what we did. There are lots of photos on this post, so I've grouped them together in sets. You can double click each set to make it larger. Enjoy...

I like dyeing threads to use in my stitch projects. Natural dyed threads give me that soft muted colour that goes so well with all my work. In the above photo from top left clockwise, liquid amber, eucalyptus leaves, eucalyptus leaves in iron pot, and turmeric dyed baths. This is my favorite photo for this post. 

Jude has so many rusty objects, copper pieces, metal rods and pre-dyed strings ready for us to use. You do get inspired looking at them. You can see the potential of what can be used in eco-dyeing.  

Then there are various leaves you can use to dye with. Jude lives in an ideal place for a dyeing workshop. The house is surrounded by eucalyptus trees of every species. Most of the plant materials were dried, but on that day Jacky took some eucalyptus mistletoe, and I took some fresh eucalyptus leaves from my university. I also took a piece of purple carrot and turmeric to share. 

Here were four different dyed baths Jude had going that day. Starting from the top left: Eucalyptus, turmeric, purple cabbage and eucalyptus in iron pot.

Jude was holding a bridal veil in the dyeing process. I can't wait to see how it turns out. Dot and Jude on the top right photo sitting out enjoying morning tea. In the bottom two photos were bundles ready to be opened.

In the top left photo was the collection of Jude's dyed fabric waiting when we arrived. In the top right photo were wedding dresses Jude collected to create one of a kind for a lucky bride. Jude is preparing a naturally dyed wedding at the moment. This is such an exciting project. This might be the first natural dye theme wedding in the world! The two bottom photos were some of our fabric we dyed that day. 

The most interesting piece I dyed that day has to be this pair of Japanese workman's trousers from Ziguzagu. It is old and well worn, but in good condition. On one leg I resist dyed it, and on the other leg I wrapped lots of eucalyptus leaves and hoped for the best. I love how it turned out. I couldn't have wished for a better result. I just love it!

What is really interesting is the text on the trousers. At first I thought it had been written using a marker pen. After a few washes the marks didn't come out, but getting cleaner. I had a closer look and realised the marks were woven into the fabric!

This was the trouser bundle, just before I opened it. It did look rather strange I must say! 

And here is what one of the legs looks like after it was opened. I left it lying about the house for a day and the intensity of the imprints darkened.

Thank you ladies for a great day. Thanks Jude for letting us come to play in your beautiful home. You are so generous and sharing. You are a true artist Jude. Good luck with the wedding; I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.

Until next time.

Nat