Botanical Dyes

Aurélia Wolff is a French textile designer and has been a botanical dyer since 2012. Trained by Michel Garcia, one of the world's greatest experts on natural dyes, she has created the WHOLE project, 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 and upcycling plants to extract colours. Aurélia implements ethical processes in her dye extraction to avoid waste, thus committing to pursuing a more eco-friendly fashion industry.Visit the WHOLE project website: www.whole.frand Instagram account: @ourwholeconcept

I’m intrigued to learn some new processes on using botanical dyes within my art practice! I’m thinking on using these techniques to dye some raw canvas which I’ll then use as a ground layer for my painting. I love the idea of trying something new and taking the time to do this… let’s see how it goes!The book is Botanical Dyes by Aurélia Wolff - one thing I immediately love is that the autumnal colour palette in this book matches my latest painting! But aside from that I really like how it’s laid out according to seasons, and the recipes are detailed and there’s also a lot of historical info here too.It promotes a sustainable alchemical process (big tick) and at first glance it seems to be broken down well… let’s see how I get on.

• Foreword by Michel GarciaIntroductionINTRODUCTION TO BOTANICAL DYEINGWhat is botanical dyeing?Traditional methods Natural dyeing: a call to actionClassification of dyesThe dyeing processNatural fibresMordantingThe different techniquesIn the dyer’s workshopSEASONAL DYEING: RECIPES & INSPIRATIONSPRING - Walnut, Rhubarb, Dyer’s woad, ArtichokeSUMMER - Weld, Cosmos, Madder, Wild carrotAUTUMN - Oak, St John’s wort, Elderberry, Broad-leaved dock    WINTER - Chestnut, Onion, Avocado, TurmericOUT OF SEASON & OTHER LATITUDES - Cutch, LogwoodAppendicesGlossaryUseful addressesWhere to find the plantsBibliographyAcknowledgements