it started with reading books and taking classes. then i began collecting materials and tools and growing my own dye garden. i thought about dyeing my own fabric for so long, and “make a dye pot” always had a spot at the top of my to-do list. why did it take me so long to actually do it?

it could be that i felt too distracted by other projects to engage with the process fully. or maybe i was afraid that things wouldn’t turn out how i wanted and it would not be time well spent. would i remember what i had learned and be able to put the knowledge into actual practice? or would i end up with a stack of failed experiments? sometimes it just feels hard to dive in.

then one day, without a plan or a specific outcome in mind, i got started. with the knowledge collected and the foundation laid, i just needed to remove the pressure of perfection.

now dyeing is a part of my regular routine, and working with plant dyes feels intuitive, experimental, and exciting. coaxing color from plants has changed my work and my life. i love my materials and feel so inspired to use them.

i made a new fall treasure box for the stitcher filled with a plant-dyed color palette that reflects the transition between summer and fall.



the palette of the fabrics, thread, and silk ribbon in this treasure box is an exploration of marigolds and sunflowers from my dye garden. i played with different additions to the dye pot: cochinel, cutch, iron, madder root, and sappenwood (all from botanical colors). each box top is covered in wool gauze with a small hand stitched flower in the corner.  a 28” strand of plant-dyed silk cordage adorned with flowers at each end wraps around the treasure box. this can be worn as a necklace or bracelet, or hung as decoration.



the materials included in the treasure box can be used to make the same cordage and flowers on the cover.  the box is filled with 5 colors each of flax linen and wool felt, and 2 colors each of wool gauze, sashiko thread, and silk ribbon. you will also find a booklet with instructions and photos for making your own cordage and a sewing needle suitable for the sashiko thread.



my collection of over 50 free sewing tutorials includes lots of projects for using up small pieces of precious fabric.  happy stitching!



PS: myra likes to oversee the dye process.