There comes a time in every dyer’s life when you’re staring at a piece of fabric, wondering: What in the world is this made of? Maybe you found it in a dusty corner of your stash, or someone lovingly gifted you “a natural fabric” with no label. (Spoiler alert: “natural” is often wishful thinking.) Before [...]
Reflections on Gutau’s Blaudruck-Fest, always the first Sunday in May On the first Sunday in May the small Mühlviertel village of Gutau (Upper Austria) wakes up feeling blue. Market stalls spill out from the main square, block-printed table linens flutter on washing lines, and the smell of a fresh indigo vat drifts from the old [...]
Natural dyeing in the youngest democracy in the world. I traveled to Timor Leste in November 2024 at the invitation of Hilly Bouwman, founder and manager of RELOKA. This NGO is a training, production, and marketing initiative to promote the capacities of persons of different abilities. ReLoka creates environmentally responsible products, using local and recycled [...]
Workshops should be spaces of creativity, learning, and respect—places where we can focus fully on the art of natural dyeing and printing without distractions. That’s why I now have clear terms and conditions in place, as well as a health waiver, to protect both my participants and myself. These are not just formalities; they ensure [...]
I have never been a great fan of organic vats, mainly because I do not really ‘get’ them and I have had some major fails (think 30-liter henna vat rotting on a balcony. That stinks). I understand this is a ‘me’ problem. I am also not around the studio for up to a month, several [...]
I love to be inspired by what is around me. When I let the dogs out in the (very) early morning, I witness the morning mist creating layers of soft grays and pinks where the sun comes up behind the hills. I want to recreate those shades in natural dyes for a winter-inspired palette. The [...]
2024 in Natural Dyes.
3 Sept 2025
Last year, I shared a month-by-month account of my year with natural dyes. It was a gratitude exercise for me—a chance to reflect on my accomplishments. My inner critic often diminishes my efforts, and my memory is fleeting, so taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the results and the connections I’ve made is [...]
Indonesia, with its rich biodiversity and long tradition of craftsmanship, is a haven for natural dye enthusiasts. This archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is home to a treasure trove of plant-based dyes, each deeply embedded in local culture and heritage. The lush landscapes provide abundant resources, while centuries-old techniques bring out the vivid hues [...]
In my previous blog, I shared tips for more sustainable washing practices to care for your naturally dyed clothes. In this blog, let’s look into three clean alternatives that are non-toxic and 100% biodegradable. Long before the advent of chemical detergents in bright plastic bottles and bags, the earth offered its gentle, abundant gifts for [...]
Weaving in Indonesia, styles and techniques
2 Sept 2025
Indonesian weaving is a vibrant tradition filled with unique techniques, materials, and motifs, it is diverse as the archipelago is large. Traveling in Indonesia and Timor Leste for one month, was not nearly enough to learn all I wanted, but it gave me a beautiful glimpse into a rich cultural heritage that is very much [...]
Natural dyes have surged in popularity, and for good reason. They provide vibrant colors, unique patterns, and a connection to age-old crafting traditions. However, once you’ve adorned your wardrobe or home with these beautiful, sustainably dyed textiles, you may wonder how to care for them properly. To make sure they last as long as possible, [...]
We should be very concerned about this mass textile consumerism. Some statistics: We can only make a dent in these numbers when more and more people start rethinking the way they dress. I have not visited a chain store for clothes in the last few years. 90% of what I own is sustainably made, where [...]
Simple Resist Paste Technique with Indigo
2 Sept 2025
Create a unique hand-dyed textile using simple ingredients. I have been playing around with resist paste in combination with natural dyes when I was after some specific visual. There are many types of resists and they can be complicated or straightforward. I will show a few options, and then also show what I did (which [...]
I am still buzzing a bit from last week. I spent 6 days with two groups of students in The Netherlands teaching what I love so much: natural dyes and botanical printing. Let me start with the location. I was born and raised in Amersfoort, where my family lived and still does, for many generations. [...]
When I discovered aluminum triformate, it was exactly what I had been looking for: A cold process, no heating needed, and the possibility to reuse the mordant multiple times. Furthermore, the mordant leftovers can be easily disposed of and pose no particular issues for the environment. Alum (potassium aluminium sulfate) in itself as a mordant [...]
Sukumo indigo holds a special place as a time-honored dyeing technique. Derived from the leaves of the Polygonum tinctorium plant, Sukumo indigo has been employed for centuries to produce rich, vibrant hues that adorn textiles rich with history and culture. Sukumo indigo has deep roots in Japanese culture. The technique is closely associated with Awa, [...]
If you have been reading my blogs you have seen a thing or two about creating dark shades using the magical collusion of tannins with ferrous sulfate. (See this blog) In this blog, we are going to explain why there is a particular order you should pay attention to. First: how does it work? This [...]
2023 in Natural Dyes
2 Sept 2025
It is almost the end of the Gregorian year. What a year it has been (in many, very conflicting ways). I feel that before I can start setting goals for 2024, I should be looking back at 2023 with gratitude. I feel that after a good few years of working really (really) hard, I can [...]
Getting Creative When Things Are Hard
2 Sept 2025
Today marks exactly two months since the ‘black Shabbat’ in Israel. That day I woke up disoriented at 6.30 to sirens and explosions, and life has not been the same since. In hindsight, I can recognize I am severely traumatized, as we all are. What I did not realize is what big a toll it [...]
How it’s going...
2 Sept 2025
Or maybe, how it is not. I am on a strict diet of grief and stress. Mourning, shock and fear are pulling at the hems of our tight knit community. This is a small country, everybody knows everybody. Or you know someone who knows someone. The feeling of insecurity is very, very real. It seeps [...]
What are Tzitzit? (including how-t0)
2 Sept 2025
There have been a lot of posts from me on social media about Tzitzit, and people are asking me left and right: what are Tzitzit. So here is another installment of “Things you did not know about Jewish Life”. Tzitzit are fringes or tassels that are worn by Jewish men and boys from age three [...]
Storing your Natural Dyes and Mordants Safely
2 Sept 2025
Just now, I received an email that made me scream in horror: Hello this is a silly question but, I accidentally ate some of this Himalayan Rhubarb Extract thinking it was a spice is it non toxic? Dear people, beloved customers, please please store your dyes and mordants in the correct way. I am not [...]
The Easiest Apple Cake Recipe
2 Sept 2025
“But why are you putting up a recipe here Suzanne? Is this not a site about natural dyes?” You are 100% correct. But it is also Rosh HaShannah, our Jewish New Year, and I am cooking up a storm. All the food revolves around ‘simanim’, tokens for the new year. For example: Apples and honey, [...]
I am always looking for textiles that are unique, that have additional meaning, and that support a community. So when I got introduced to a Kechene weaving community in Addis Ababa through connections in Israel and a young man named Abere, I knew I had to overcome all the logistic and cultural challenges to make [...]
In my quest to give a more profound, layered meaning to my work, I have been diving increasingly into the history of natural dyes. This has resulted already in specific dye-related trips to Oaxaca-Mexico and the South of France (see also this blog about the 18th-century French dye internship that took place), The Netherlands, and [...]
Paul Gout was the manager and master dyer of the Royal Manufacture of wool broadcloth in Bize, Languedoc. This important factory exported up to 2,750 pieces of wool cloth called ‘Londrin’s Seconds’ per year, mainly to the ports of the Levant. This corresponds to more than 52 km of fabric, dyed in colorfast colors, fast [...]
Chlorophyllin is present in all green leaves, for making extract there are several commonly used plants: alfalfa and Mulberry. Our extract comes from the mulberry tree (morus alba). It has a nice ‘grassy’ smell in the dye pot. Chlorophyllin is used as a food coloring and as a dietary supplement, but we will use it [...]
pH – in Natural dyeing – What is it?
31 Aug 2025
(And why do you need to know?) pH is something you will see a lot in descriptions of natural dyeing processes. In short: pH stands for potential hydrogen, and it tells us how much hydrogen there is in liquids, and how active the hydrogen ion is. That concentration of hydrogen ions is measured in moles [...]
7 Natural Dyes from Your Kitchen
31 Aug 2025
(and what NOT to use) In this blog you will learn how to properly mordant cellulose fabrics, and how to use ingredients from your kitchen to dye them. The most eco-concious way to use kitchen materials is by collecting them and drying or freezing them until you are ready to use them. Use produce nets [...]
Colorful soap dispenser, naturally!
31 Aug 2025
Natural colorants can be a great addition to handmade soaps as they add vibrancy and beauty to the product, and can also provide additional benefits for the skin. Here are some common natural colorants used in soapmaking: When using a natural colorful soap dispenser, it’s important to keep in mind that some natural ingredients may [...]
The alum family of triformate, acetate, and lactate are one-step mordants, you ‘could’ do that extra step of tanning, but you do not have to. That is a huge time and water saver! Another added bonus is you need fewer of these mordants. Between 5-10% WOF can be more than enough for a solid mordanting, [...]
When it comes to natural dyes, there are several options available for textile artists and home dyers. In our webshop, you can find raw dyestuffs, dye powders, and extracts, and very often we will have more than one version for a specific dye material. In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between the [...]
A lot has been said about the sustainability of different fibers, and silk has been getting a bad reputation in the last years with large companies like ASOS banning silk from their collections under pressure from organizations like PETA. The ease with which fashion companies have removed silk from the collection, immediately had me thinking [...]
Dyeing with Kermes
30 Aug 2025
The rarest dyes, part of a series of (now) rare natural dyes, see also the blog about Murex and Kakishibu. Kermens is an insect-derived dye, belonging to the group of anthraquinone dyes that include; Armenian cochineal (Porphyrophora hamelii) – carminic acid + kermesic acid Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) – carminic acid (CI 75470 Natural Red 4) [...]
In the summer of 2022, I visited Mexico for almost a month. I started with a visit to Mexico City and Cuernavaca, then moved to San Miguel de Allende for two weeks to teach a workshop in natural dyeing and botanical printing. I will start this blog by stating I feel that whatever I learned [...]
Kakishibu – Persimmon Tannin Dye
30 Aug 2025
Origins of Dyeing with Persimmon Tannin The fermentation is done by adding persimmon yeast to the persimmon pulp, then they ferment it over two years. The fermented juice can then be strained and used straight out of the container, or it can be strained, dried, and ground into a fine powder or granules. This powder [...]
How to store Natural Dyes
30 Aug 2025
Dried, store bought natural dyes. The biggest enemy of natural dyes are light and moisture. So best to store them in a dark, dry and cool place. Glass jars are excellent for keeping your dried dyes safe and moisture free. I use recycled mayonnaise jars but the best ones are the type of mason jars [...]
How to use Symplocos, a plant based alum mordant
30 Aug 2025
Try Symplocos for a 100% plant based dye process and stunning new shades. In the second half of the 19th century, botany was extremely popular. Thomas Hogg, Jr. introduced Japanese and Asian plants to the delightful arboreta of the time, some of which still exist today. Variants of Symplocos trees like Symplocos tinctoria, and Symplocos [...]
8 Reasons to Choose Handwoven
30 Aug 2025
At DekelDyes we have a longstanding love affair with handwoven fabrics. Handwoven fabrics have an amazing hand and texture and they take dyes like a champ. More than just beauty and comfort: I love knowing there is a story behind what I am wearing, these are fabrics made by people I have a long standing [...]
Mordants: an overview
30 Aug 2025
HEALTH HAZARDS Are mordants toxic? Let it be clear that mordants are not to be ingested and exposure to skin may cause irritation. The mordants in this list are, to my knowledge and extensive research, not a health hazard when used correctly. There are different sites and articles where you can check toxicity of materials, [...]
Scouring your fabrics
30 Aug 2025
Previously loved fabrics that have been washed well multiple times usually do not require extra scouring. Raw wool fleece contains easily up to 60% of grease (lanolin), sweat residue (suint), pectins (grass residue), poop and other dirt. These must all be removed before spinning and weaving. Processed wool fabrics usually come PDF and do not [...]
What is WOF and how do you use it?
30 Aug 2025
If you have opened a book or any instruction about natural dyeing, you will have see the term WOF. So what does that mean and why do I need it? WOF is short for Weight Of Fibre and that is relating to the dry weight of the fibers or fabrics that you want to dye. [...]
Natural Dyeing and EcoPrinting with Rhatany Root
30 Aug 2025
Discover more exotic natural dyes with surprising results, Rhatany roots could be just what you have been looking for in your natural dye stash! Where does it come from? Rhatany (Krameria trianda) grows in Bolivia, Equador, Chile and Brazil, in areas over 1000 meter altitude. Most of the dye stuff is collected and exported from [...]
Because of the sensitive state of mangrove forests it is very important to only make use of dye that is produced from the byproduct (bark) of controlled timber. We chose our mangrove tannin from a trusted source with Forest Council Stewardship (FCS®) certification. This bath will be with a ph of around 6, and as [...]
The fruits of the Genipa americana are known as caruto, huito, jenipapo, guaitil, tapaculo, xagua, maluco, and vito, but most commonly Jagua, (the ‘J’ is pronounced as an ‘H’) which is what we will call it in this article. When I heard about it I KNEW I had to get my hands on this magic. [...]
Dyeing with Madder (Rubia Tinctorum)
30 Aug 2025
Rubia Tinctoria, the famous red dye from the anthraquinone family. Choosing the right Weight Of Fiber (WOF) and the right mordant is crucial for getting the perfect reds (as is choosing the right madder. Many of you struggle with getting the right shades and the most common complaint is that the shades come out too [...]
Creating a Sustainable Business
12 Aug 2025
A blog post in light of the webinar I presented in October 2021. If there is anything I have learned about building a business, it is that your expectations, aspirations and reality do not always match. When I started working on my profile on a networking website for sustainable fashion-related businesses, it made me fill [...]
A Tour in the New Studio
12 Aug 2025
You may know how I started working from my home, then occupied a spare bedroom and eight months ago moved out of that room to a small studio space at around seven minutes driving from my house. Well that space became too small, very fast, as I added products. What was worse: it had the [...]