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Woad Balls
Way back in the mists of time MEDATS (Medieval Dress and Textile Society) ran a Dyeing Symposium Weekend and part of it was spent with John Edmonds making woad Balls. John had become fascinated with woad whilst volunteering at the Chiltern Open Air Museum after he had retired, he was an inspiration to many and is the reason that Reading University started its research into the Medieval woad Vat and the Spindigo project being started. First of all we picked the fresh leaves and put them into a bucket. then we chopped them up with the edge of a spade, chopping them small but not shredding. Then we picked up…
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The Society of Dyers and Colourists
For quite a few years I have been a member of the Society of Dyers and Colourists and am currently a Trustee. Whilst at first glance you would think they only are relevant to synthetic dyers (and I have to admit that they are certainly that way inclined!) I have found them very helpful over the years and really appreciate being a member. They are in reality our own trade body and it would make sense that all dyers should be members. An International organisation with branches and or members in most Continents helping with dye chemistry and environmental issues. Take a look at their Facebook page to get an idea. They…
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New Year and a New Day Out!
Firstly I’d like to wish all readers here a very Happy and Prosperous New Year, wonder what lovely textile things it’ll have in store for us? It must seem like all I am doing at the moment is going out on jollies, but for now I can’t get on in the dyehouse – it’s too cold to put the water on in there and although the pipes are lagged they have a distance to travel outside and I would hate to have problems. This week we have had friends over to see us from England, planning where to go and what to see was great fun, they are more textiley than historical and…
