NOt quite a rainbow, yet

Natural dyeing using plants grown in the soil around the house produces some beautiful bright colours: oranges from our onions and the yellows from our buddleia and dahlias. Kitchen scraps from avocados and pomegranates have increased the variety of colour too though these have proved more subtle in hue.

Planning and planting a dyers flower bed for the future will increase the range of bright colours we can achieve. Currently, woad seedlings are emerging in the greenhouse along with hollyhock and dahlias. The madder pots are yet to show signs of life, but I expect the seeds are bursting to life beneath the surface.

This autumn and spring, we have bought in a few powdered plant dyes to try and we have achieved some beautiful blues from logwood and indigo.

It is not all about brights in natural dyeing though. We have found great pleasure in some of the more muted natural beiges, yellows and taupes. On linens, these make beautiful subtle backgrounds for hand embroidery. We are currently developing a range of personalised cushions which will capitalise on these fabrics and make fabulous gifts for friends and loved ones.

Next on my "dye play list" is madder, my namesake. I have ordered some powder and look forward to its arrival. If it delivers the reds, oranges and pinks that it promises to, I will soon complete my natural dye fabric rainbow.