What is Ochre?

"Besides natural dyes, which are organic compounds, there is a whole range of earth pigments that add depth of color and texture to silk and cotton cloth.  These pigments are found in their crudest form in muds, ocheres and minerals from the soil."  The following was taken from page 22 of Michele Whipplinger's Natural Dye Instruction Booklet. (can be ordered from her website) http://www.earthues.com/


our pigments for applying color to fabric

 In my second class with Michele we worked with many techniques in applying colors to fabric- which is different than dyeing fabric (the color penetrates the fibers completely - pigments stay on the surface of the fibers)  Michele provided an array of tools and the possibilities are endless!

I loved the way the pigment and color stayed on the surface creating a matte, and almost ancient pottery effect.  The colors become vibrant and the interchange of colors on different dyed fabrics is facinating.

I am working on finishing a piece of fabric that I dyed indigo and then have painted the woven pattern squares a variety of colors, plus metalic powder that Michele showed me how to use.

Some of the plants in my garden are not necessarily  brilliant, bright colors, but more muted tones.  So I am planning to use some of my ochres/pigments from the set I bought from Michele to incorporate some bright patterns on my dyed fabric.  Check in after harvest and dyeing to see my finished pieces.  Meanwhile, back to gardening!

To Dye For!

Lake Canandaigua-one of the Finger Lakes

My classes at Canandaigua, NY were amazing!  The instructor was MicheleWipplinger, who is owner of Earthues and a well known lecturer, author and expert on natural dyes.  She has traveled world-wide and resides in Seattle, WA where she also holds classes.  If you get a chance to take one of her many classes- grab the opportunity!!!  Also, http://www.earthues.com/ is one of the best sources of natural dyes and accessories for those needs.  (I have purchased from many sources, and this is definately one to be trusted)  Best quality and great customer service for any questions.

Michele had brought many samples, equipment, examples, and supplies of which I bought dye, etc.  One of the best offerings is her complete set of natural dyes and additives to begin dyeing.  We used everything is this kit in class and after I added up my stash of wants it was more economical and complete to just buy the kit.

The first class was "Indigo and Woad"   which involved learning to dye with indigo and then woad, which are both from plants and both dyes use oxygen reduction- dyeing with a combination of science and art!

Michele had provided us with a large assortment of pre-mordant fabrics- silk with many weaving textures and patterns. No two dyed pieces were alike and we incorporate many resist techniques.  Shibori, tying, tube wrapping, clamping, tying with river rocks, over-dying- not enough time in a day to imagine and do the possibilities.

Michele had so many samples for us to examine and also her lectures and binders full of info will be invaluable for my experimentations with indigo and woad.

Even though my garden project is focused on native plants, I have been growing some indigofera tinctora plants, which this species is found in many parts of the world and flourishes quite well here.  My problem would be that is takes about an acre of indigo plants/leaves to produce a 12" X 12" X 4"  slab of dyestuff. (and is quite complicated at that)  I think Earthues will work quite nicely as my source!

The importance and procedures to mordant! That is most valuable for any natural dyeing sucess - we also learned tips for using dyes and protein fibers- check out Hide glue!

Thank you Michele for an incredible week!