Botanical Dyes: A Seasonal Guide to Sustainable Dyeing

Take a colourful journey through the seasons with this essential guide to sustainable, botanical dyeing from noted expert Aurélia Wolff.

A captivating blend of chemistry, culinary flair and the magic of dye-pot alchemy, natural dyeing allows you to create your own vibrant, uniquely colorful results.

Author and ’color cook’ Aurélia Wolff provides 18 easy-to-follow recipes that will guide you through the seasons including:

• delicate shades of walnut in spring
• vibrant madder in summer
• warm oak and elderberry in autumn
• rich chestnut completing the seasonal palette in winter.

The gentle treatment of leaves, roots, bark and flowers can result in exquisite hues on natural fabrics, so with Aurélia’s clear, expert guidance, discover how to forage ethically, dye naturally and create your own unique natural palette.

This practical yet visually sumptuous book contains:

• A thorough, beginner-friendly introduction to botanical dyeing and mordanting, packed with historical insights.
• 18 seasonal recipes using ethically-foraged and easily sourced ingredients.
• An in-depth guide to sustainable, ethical foraging, to encourage a deeper connection with nature.
• A vibrant array of dyed fabric and hand-dyed projects for inspiration, for both experienced artisans and newcomers, including cushions and bedding for the home as well as sandals and a sarong for the beach.
• A foreword and endorsement from Michel Garcia, world-renowned expert in botanical dyeing.

Aurélia Wolff is a French textile designer and has been a botanical dyer since 2012. Trained by Michel Garcia, she created the WHOLE project which is a linens and accessories brand; a natural colour research lab; and a dye garden in Paris. Aurélia also teaches and runs workshops, using traditional methods such as hand weaving to promote natural dyeing as a contemporary craft. Her approach involves recycling fabrics and sourcing only organic fibres only, and upcycling plants to extract colours, implimenting conscious process that avoids waste, thus committing to pursuing a more eco-friendly fashion industry.