Textiles West Natural Dye Garden |
The Natural Dye Garden is part of Textiles West's farm-to-studio curriculum, where we grow flowers and other plants that can be used for dyeing fabric. The dye garden is located at Flying Pig Farm in Manitou Springs, a community education garden for local residents with native and heritage plants, and food crops. Stay up-to-date on what's happening in the dye garden on our Instagram page. Textiles West hold classes outdoors in the garden using plants to create brilliant colors and intricate designs on fabric. Our classes include:
Go to our Classes Calendar for Fun in the Garden class information! Note: For your safety, we follow Flying Pig Farm’s COVID-19 safety measures. Masks are required for each participant and must be worn while working within 6 feet of other participants. We currently have maximum of 10 students. You may bring your own clean/freshly laundered garden gloves (more are available at the garden). Planting Information and History
2020: We are excited to begin our third year of programming with Flying Pig Farm. This year we planted Mammoth and Chianti Sunflowers, African Marigolds, Tithonias, Zinnias, Cosmos, Scabiosa, Woad and Indigo. Our perennials are Dyer's Chamomile, Weld, Coreopsis, Black Hollyhock, Madder root and red and yellow onion. Annuals Planted 2019: Japanese Indigo, African Marigolds, Cosmos, Coreopsis, Scabiosa, Red Flax, Violas and Zinnias. We also planted variegated carrots, red onions, yellow onions and purple cabbage. Perennials Planted 2018: Dyer’s Chamomile, Madder, Weld and Black Hollyhock Flying Pig FarmFlying Pig Farm a chemical-free farm and community learning garden in Manitou Springs, Colorado. To learn more about our community partner go to their website or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. Team-Building Work DaysOwn a small business, or part of a local team? Safely meet up with your colleagues for a retreat at The Natural Dye Garden! We offer personalized volunteer and creative outdoor experiences for your group. Contact us for donation suggestion and details, or click here to fill out an Interest Form. The Dye Garden is an ideal place for connecting with corporate and small business employees in the great outdoors.Your 2- to 4-hour visit includes:
Interested? Fill out our form to get started! Resources for dye gardensWebsites:
Janice Ford Memorial Dye Garden: https://www.facebook.com/growingadyegarden/ US Department of Agriculture Forest Service - Native Plant Dyes: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethnobotany/dyes.shtml Books: Botanical Inks, Babs Behan A Dyer's Garden: From Plant to Pot, Growing Dyes for Natural Fibers, Rita Buchanan A Garden to Dye For, Chris McLaughlin The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes: Personalize Your Craft with Organic Colors from Acorns, Blackberries, Coffee, and Other Everyday Ingredients, Sasha Duerr Harvesting Color: How to Find Plants and Make Natural Dyes, Rebecca Burgess Indigo: Cultivate, Dye, Create, Douglas Luhanko and Kerstin Neumuller The Modern Natural Dyer: A Comprehensive Guide to Dyeing Silk, Wool, Linen and Cotton at Home, Kristine Vejar Natural Color: Vibrant Plant Dye Projects for your Home and Wardrobe, Sasha Duerr The Natural Colors Cookbook, Maggie Pate A Weaver's Garden: Growing Plants for Natural Dyes and Fibers, Rita Buchanan Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes, Jenny Dean and Karen Diadick Casselman Wild Dyer: A guide to Natural Dyes and the art of Patchwork & Stitch, Abigail Booth |
Our garden journal was created in 2018 by Sara Anderson, for a non-intimidating look at how to get started with your own dye plants.
Continued information about our Dye Garden is available at our Sustainability Matters blog.
You can sign up for updates on the garden and upcoming classes by joining our newsletter. Click here to sign up.