Natural Dyeing Experiments: Apricot Bark & Root

For a number of years we’ve tried a range of different approaches to try and save a very old and rather diseased and fungal apricot tree in the garden. The reason for this was largely sentimental rather than practical connecting us, via my parents-in-law, to the person who previously lived in this house and farmed the surrounding land on behalf of the landowner prior to the abolition of share cropping from the 1960s*. In the … More Natural Dyeing Experiments: Apricot Bark & Root

Natural Dyeing Experiments: Quince leaves

The mature quince tree we have in the garden is a continual source of joy and pleasure. It has sculptural presence that provides shade in the summer and the oh, so sweet smell of ripening quinces as autumn becomes winter. Whilst the fruits become jam, jelly or marmellata/membrillo/cheese, I was keen to see if the leaves would work as a dye source, and oh my, it really didn’t disappoint. I had explored the potential of … More Natural Dyeing Experiments: Quince leaves