Flour Sack Towels  Dyed With Natural Dyes

These 100% cotton 130 thread count towels measure 28"x28"; they are hemmed all around and have loop on one corner for hanging. The fabric has a slightly irregular texture and can have flecks of colored thread running throughout the weave. They do not dye perfectly evenly.  The imperfections resulting from hand dyeing in small batches with natural dyes are to be expected.

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In my natural dye practice I seek relatively lightfast and colorfast dyestuffs and I carefully prepare the fabric to increase the strength of the bond between the dye molecules the fibers. Still you should expect some fading over time. You also need to avoid harsh detergents.

 

I balance dyeing with plants I grow in my organic home garden or collect locally, with dye materials I purchase from around the world. Although I love dyeing with plants I started from seed and can collect after they have supplied nectar and pollen to pollinators in my yard, there are too many plant materials that yield gorgeous colors to limit myself to only local dyes. Additionally, I am not willing to plant invasive species in my yard and would rather by powdered material of such species.  Recently I have been captivated by marigolds (Tagetes spp.) and brown eyed Susans (Rudbeckia triloba) from my yard, and logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum) from Botanical Colors and indigo.

 

As of December, 2019, my whole stock of kitchen towels dyed with natural dyes is available for purchase at the non-profit Pyramid Atlantic Community Art Center in downtown Hyattsville, Maryland.  I will be dyeing more in early 2020.  Check back to see what is coming out of the dye pot.

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If you are interested in something you see but are not local, please contact me.