Reconsidering Natural
Reassess. Reconsider. Rediscover. You’ll note that I’m having difficulty writing full sentences right now. I still feel a little hungover from this weekend… I was quite fully and mercilessly drunk on the natural dyes and textiles from Maiwa’s Natural Dye workshop, led by Charllotte Kwon, owner and founder of Maiwa…
What I learned and received from the workshop was so much more than I had expected… and not just in terms of the fabulous reference binder of swatches, or the notes, or the technique (which is really just measure and cook)… It was really the appreciation of the work done by artisans everywhere, the understanding that the knowledge about these historic techniques absolutely must be preserved, and the overwhelming feeling of responsibility in everything we do… We dye, we spin, we weave. But how much and what kind of resources do we use? How much do we consume? How much do we waste? How can we change, adapt, improve our process so that we live more gently?
All this, combined with the October 2006 “Green City” issue of Vancouver Magazine, the launch of the “OneDayVancouver.ca”, and a million other tiny, niggling questions and contradictions in my head, have just been overwhelming to say the least.
What can I say? I got more than I paid for… and definitely in a good way.
Tags: cochineal, indigo, maiwa, natural dye, overdye
I wanna make a sweater... pouts
Oh, a dream… I think I am going to cry in front of my computer. You are so lucky… I do that in my kitchen, but it is not so… dream dream dream…
Wow. What an experience! It’s good to grapple with those questions - it’s too easy to live and consume without ever thinking, without perspective.
oh that workshop looks amazing - i’m in the middle of taking some natural dye workshops too, but really they just can’t compare to the maiwa ones. wow wow, maybe next year…
and yes absolutely about the questions you’re asking. i wonder too. makes me realize i don’t just want to use natural dyes, i want to grow them and nurture them and pass on the word to others. also makes me worry about the leftover alum-water, and so on, after mordanting.. is it ok to just put that down the sink? etc etc.
lovely photos as always
I’m gobsmacked! What a wonderful workshop. I need a time machine and a plane ticket.
I’m gobsmacked. What a wonderful workshop. I need a time machine and a plane ticket so I can go too.
Wow. It looks like a wonderful class. I can’t wait to see what you do with all this new knowledge.
Wow, the workshop looked amazing! I remember when I was 12 or so, my mom signed me up for a natural dyeing workshop that took place in the mountains of colorado… that was the only dyeing experience I had before Sunshine Yarns. It really makes you want to “tread softly”.. or, maybe that is the water resources scientist in me speaking
Anyways, glad you had a wonderful time and I look forward to seeing how you use these new techniques in your spinning/weaving/dyeing/knitting.
P.S. After seeing your LUcy in the Sky cardigan, I just had to start one too!
felicia, you’re killing me over here.
what an absolutely wonderful thing to educate yourself about. i’m so happy you did this (and only a little bit jealous)
thanks for sharing
Lucky you! With all the productivity lately and all the great resources in your area, your journey into the world of fabrics remind me of the good ole days where I dabble in color, batik painting, tie dye-ing and ikat weaving back home in Singapore and Bali where my folks are. But alas I’ve also been busy lately with work since graduating from my Masters in Law and hardly juggling family and all. On the good side I am still dye-ing and spinning and teaching spinning and weaving whenever the time allows that is (have cut down on preparing wool as they’re too time consuming); I think these are the most accessible forms I can indulge on right now with all the piling work and responsibilities. Please keep posting your wonderful adventures! They’re such an inspiration!
Arianie
Looks like a wonderful workshop! I love those hands on type workshops where you walk away with great samples and a little more knowledge to add to the pot.
(As I sit here drooling onto my keyboard!) You are so lucky to have such opportunities practically at your doorstep. I, too, am very jealous. Your posts are having a slight effect, too… I actually sat down at my loom the other day and wove a couple of centimeters….!
Living in the land of consumerism (Japan), your questions are very pertinent. Just this morning, I recycled a 40 liter garbage bag of plastics….it takes me a month to fill one bag (being single), but the sheer amount of packaging this country uses is mind boggling sometimes. At least we are able to recycle these days.
Looking forward to your next project…^-^
what wonderful colors! thank you for always sharing your adventures with us….
I can see how overwhelmed you must be, with so many ideas and techniques that you want to absorb, and so many colors everywhere. It sounds like heaven. I’m looking forward to seeing where this experience takes your dyeing. Lots of new things to try!
Even just looking at the pictures it is overwhelming! I can’t imagine being there!
So much color, fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been thinking some of the same things about consumerism, responsibility for carrying on traditions and knowledge in the fiber arts (and other arts as well), etc. And realizing who does it, who supports it, etc. Not enough people realize the value of these things. Thank you so much for sharing these great experiences with us - you tell each story SO WELL.
I think I’m going to have to take a Maiwa workshop. Those dyes look amazing.
Wow, sounds like great fun!
The photos are worthy of being published in a magazine like FiberArts or Selvedge:beautiful and inspiring.
Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!
The pictures are fabulous! I’ve heard nothing but good things about their Natural Dye workshop. I’m doing the Bookbinding workshop on Monday and I’m really excited.
What fabulous deep and rich color. Amazing!
What gorgeous gorgeous colors! I would love to attend a workshop like that! Just beautiful! I hope you do a whole line of natural yarns…And the fabrics!
What lovely colors, and what a great expirience! You are so talented I cant wait to see how you apply this to your already stunning work.
Textile overload! You should post a warning, girl, I almost fainted with all that fabric goodness. It looks like you’ve been having fun.
It’s nice to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. Everything is beautiful.
beautiful!