Over the last few years I've become increasingly aware of the "high cost of cheap fashion" and whilst developing our online training in natural fabric dyeing, I started researching ways I could contribute to a much needed change.

We all love a bargain but following the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in 2013 when over 1000 people lost their lives due to unsafe working conditions, many of us started to understand just how our demand for cheap clothing and 'retail therapy' had deadly consequences, mainly for women in less affluent countries.

On April 24, 2013, an eight storey clothing factory in Rana Plaza, Bangladesh, collapsed killing 1,134 workers and injuring 2500. The building had been unsafe and in a state of disrepair yet because of the demand for cheap labour and fast fashion, the building owners ignored warnings and forced workers to carry on.

2013 Savar building collapse, Bangladesh. On Wednesday, 24 April 2013 in the Savar Upazila of Dhaka,...

Registration is re-opening!

*SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF APRIL AND PAY JUST £599 USING THE DISCOUNT CODE: NFDCATCHUP

Did you miss the sign up to this year's online training? Module 1 of 'Natural Fabric Dyeing: Colour, Print and Pattern' took place earlier this year but after many requests, I've decided to allow 'on demand' instant access for those of you who'd like to catch-up before Module 2 starts. 

I've had so many people emailing me to say they only just found out about the course and asking if they could sign up now, even though Module 1 has ended that I had to do something to help. They've realised too late that there's only one chance to take this once a year training and feel like they've missed the boat. It is a long time to wait until the next run in 2019, so after much deliberation, I've re-opened registration as of now!

I had to think long and hard about this because I am totally convinced that people enjoy more success if they study online with the...

After years in development, I am thrilled to announce the first Wild Dyery retreat to the country! This will be a unique opportunity for a small group to hang out with me in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, whilst experimenting with local plant dyes and simple meditation techniques to help you adopt the pace of nature. There are only a few places so this is likely to sell out quickly. Visit the soul clothing event page for full details and to secure your place.

SUPER EXCITED to announce this!

The Wild Dyery’s first textile and yoga retreat to beautiful Snowdonia next June! This event just doesn’t exist anywhere else and will explore the creation of sustainable clothing as part of a spiritual practise.

Not only will you get to try natural dyeing, eco-printing and indigo shibori in one weekend but you’ll be totally chilled out at the end due to some delicious yoga practise in this area of outstanding natural beauty.

You’ll leave with your own plant dyed yoga clothing, coloured using locally foraged herbal dyes and the knowledge to continue a natural dye practice at home.

Read more about Ayurvastra and get full details about this trail blazing new event.

N.B. Early booking by cheque is advised to avoid eventbrite fees which are included in the online listing below..

Please register your interest by joining the… AYURVASTRA EVENT PAGE

OR if this sings to your heart and soul and you know you need a place right now,...

Reconnecting

Marcus Drummond is one such artisan. A green wood worker with a deep reverence for the environment who creates heirloom furniture entirely by hand. For those of you not familiar with green wood work, it is an ancient craft that utilises the softness of newly felled trees for carpentry with hand tools.

Wind-fallen scarves workshop at Big Cat Textiles, Newburgh, Scotland – August 2015

Interview with James Wood from The Foraged Book Project

Jenny Dean is one of the country’s foremost natural dyers and has been researching and using natural dyes for about forty years.

She has written widely on the subject and her books include “The Craft of Natural Dyeing”, “Wild Colour”, “Colours from Nature” & “A Heritage of Colour”.

She was featured in a Radio 4 programme with Kaffe Fasset and her work has been the focus of many magazine articles.

Jenny has been involved in natural dyeing projects in Zambia and Uganda and has led workshops in Spain as well as at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Fishbourne Roman Palace and for the Royal Horticultural Society.

She has also tutored residential courses for the Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers and for the Embroiderers’ Guild. Her dyed yarns are in collections at the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and at the Royal Centre for Cultural Heritage in Brussels.

Further...

a NEW site celebrating botanical colour