SCENES FROM THE
MAIWA DYE GARDEN
Harvested weld leaves, under the gardener's hand, blue from testing a recent batch of the indigo-rich persicaria tinctoria.
Maiwa has been growing dye plants for over 25 years. We grow them to understand the nature of each plant, how it transforms light, water, air and soil into a potent source of colour.
Each year we run tests on as many variables as we can. We are looking to study germination rates, best methods for planting and transplanting, soil health, propagation strategies, the influence of growing conditions on the colourant yield strength and quality. We compare varieties and test some common assumptions about growing. We are looking at these on the scale of small growers in order to encourage the use of plant-based colour by artisan dyers.
The dye garden is part of our larger strategy to systematically test recipes for all natural dyes and mordanting techniques on as many fibres as possible. We share the tried and true recipes on our natural dye website (naturaldyes.ca) and we share the principles and fundamentals as free lessons on our teaching platform (maiwa.teachable.com) where we also offer an in-depth learning experience through paid workshops for those studying natural dyes and the textile arts.
To our U.S. customers – don't forget that the exchange rate works in your favour, it's like an extra discount.
