From the Blog

• May 14, 2020 Cultivating A Natural Dye Garden, By Janette Knowles
  

   

   

  Life in the time of COVID-19 has given everyone ample time to think about their place in the wider world and this is the perfect time to think about our relationship with nature and the environment-- with having a relationship with our own soil and  instilling a sense of the importance of cultivating that soil in the next generation. When many of us had to start making sour dough bread because we couldn’t find loaves, we talked about the potential for other shortages, and we eventually got to WWII Victory Gardens.  Every bit of land, garden, balcony was to be turned to food production. My thoughts turned to my dye garden and its expansion. I could use my dye garden not just to create my own textiles but to teach the community that we can push back against the environmental horrors (and I do not use that term lightly) of the fast fashion industry that pollutes air, water, and land. And by teaching people about the cultivation of their own dye gardens, I can connect people to their own geography, there own ecosystem, and their own communities. This is connected, in a way to the ancient concept of the “genius loci,” the spirit of the place. Isn’t that a wonderful idea?

  I can also connect people with their own shared history, or I’d like to think our shared humanity. When someone pops home grown marigolds into the vat, they are doing the exact same thing that women, traditionally, did in history. In English texts we read of the “pot marigold” so-called because it was put in the cooking pots as a substitute for saffron, to color cakes, butter, and puddings, it was also used for broths and dye. The 16th century herbalist, William Turner sternly explained: “Some use to make their heyre yellow with the floure of this herb, not being content with the naturall colour which God hath given them.” (That, by the way, is a COVID-19 beauty tip for you- marigold for your roots!)

  

  When I harvest my own madder root I think of the fact that I am doing exactly what women did in Israel and Egypt and China and Peru and Turkey between 3,000-5,000 years ago where some of our earliest archaeological evidence of textile dyeing comes from. I’d also like to see the act of this cultivation, harvest, and use as a sign of my commitment to my “place,” my soil, my world—my commitment to regenerative practices that use, celebrate and renew the earth. And do my small bit to undo the corporate destruction of the environment.

  In 1916, a renowned weaver and dyer named Ethel Mairet published A Book on Vegetable Dyes. (available digitally for free via Project Gutenberg https://www.gutenberg.org/files/50079/50079-h/50079-h.htm). In it she wrote: “DYEING has almost ceased to exist as a traditional art. In this 20th century the importance of colour in our lives seems to be realized less and less. It has been forgotten that strong and beautiful colour, such as used to abound in all every day things, is an essential to the full joy of life.”

  So join me on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00pm for a Zoom discussion on the cultivation of your own dye garden. You’ll learn about planting plants like these Hopi Black Dye Sunflowers

  

  
  

  And madder

  

  And many other plants so you can dye your own textiles and nurture your own environment.

   

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

   

• March 22, 2020 Sewing Face Masks: Vital information!
  

  Please SEW Masks! If you have a pattern for a mask use it, but if you need a pattern we have several below. Get creative. There are lots of ways to make a good mask for yourself and others to stop spreading the virus.

  **And please wear a mask when you go out of your house in public places.**

  We are all in this together. 

  We have mask drop off box on our front steps 11-4 Monday-Saturday. Some extra tips:

  -Jersey knit, like that of a t-shirt can be cut into strips for ties or used in place of elastic. But be sure to test it since not all jersey is the same.

  -Several patterns for masks are listed below. We are not experts on this so we suggest trying different ones to see which one works best for you with the supplies you have. There are many more mask patterns on the internet. Try one design before you mass produce.

  ***This is our new favorite mask pattern! It's elegant and simple to sew, yet close fitting: Origami Mask Pattern.  Sew to Speak instructor Rachel Wallis recorded a video on how to make it. You can watch on the Columbus Cultural Art Center Facebook Page. 

  Jamie and Amber from Fancy Tiger have a great pattern too. LINK

   This mask pattern has been requested by the Franklin County Dept of Emergency Medical Services. 

  Free Video  and free pattern link. Comes in many sizes. Thank you "ITHINKSEW"

  Two patterns from Regional Medical Center in Manchester, both with a pocket for a filter: https://www.regmedctr.org/services/public-health/health-alerts/covid-19-%28novel-coronavirus%29/default.aspx 

  Free pattern: Joost De Cock (Old Dutch for “The Cook”) started the FreeSewing Open Source Project from his home in the Netherlands to provide free sewing patterns. Recently, his wife who is a surgeon started seeing potential shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE). Joost knew what to do, so he posted it to FreeSewing in late February. People thought he was being silly as a handmade mask would never be used by professionals.

  
  

  This mask is designed by a nurse and can fit either directly on the face or over an N95 filter: https://www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse/?fbclid=IwAR0ANbb6OLqZ4gmayoq2r8YQ8yjHTREcz-7z8F4jwHe3aRzFoP0KzzaTRpA

  
  

  A roundup of five different mask patterns with instructions for making them: https://shanniemakes.com/duckbill-style-face-mask-pattern/?fbclid=IwAR28aADbpfzIIB5WU9gISfeLMRn85nXvruYD2rKV5uVzSh_w3cC_NfGw9QY

  
  

  Fabrics

  
  

  If you can, please use elastics which do not contain latex. They can be deadly to people with latex allergies, fabric ties are preferable if you don’t know the latex content of your elastic. 

  
  

  From what we have heard from providers the best option is

• New, prewashed, tightly woven 100% quilting cotton or canvas or duck cloth exterior
• 100% cotton muslin or cotton flannel interior
• You can include a pocket for a removable filter. 



Additional Resources:

A roundup of patterns, tutorials, and requests for donations on the eQuilter website. 

Crafters Against Covid-19 Facebook Group

A Google Doc roundup of best practices, research, and calls for donations.