10 Comments

Really fascinating - such a great window into the world of dyeing and what's around us

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Yes, totally agree! Rebecca is so passionate about what she does, it’s really rather contagious

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So cool! And I just tried my first plant dying the other week. I did the soy milk bucket bath and used blackberries for my dye (since I've accidentally dyed shirts with blackberries in the past). They turned out pretty cool and I'm excited to try it again with some other plants. Thanks for introducing me to Rebecca, who's work I'll certainly be referencing soon!

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Ha, I hear you on the blackberries! Though mercifully I am usually able to remove the “dye” when it is accidentally applied. Hopefully if you have pre-soaked in soy then the colour will last. And in the case of blackberries, are you able to… eat the dye when you’re done??

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Funny you ask - I considered making some sort of cobbler out of the waterlogged berries but they'd been sitting out, heating and cooling, for over 24 hours so I decided that seemed a little gross. I just composted them.

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Ok yeah, makes sense. I just really liked the idea of being able to make a tie-dye t-shirt AND a couple of jars of jam while you’re at it.

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Very inspiring! And I'm sure Rebecca is aware that nettles are edible and are a powerful medicinal herb as well. They also grow all over North America.

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So pleased you enjoyed the interview, Mary! Yes, Rebecca certainly shares your enthusiasm for nettles. Not many gardening folk do though! Too “common”, too “invasive”, too… “stingy”! I really appreciate everything they offer for wildlife, and everything they do for us. It’s a shame they have such a bad rep.

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Wow, this was a fantastic interview and wonderful pictures of the dyeing process!

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Thanks Gavin, that’s really kind of you! Yes I agree, the photos are incredible - I love seeing all the flowers and leaves and nuts, etc, laid out alongside the colour swatches. I can’t take any credit for the pictures though - that’s all Rebecca’s wonderful handiwork.

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