Every bit of color in my work comes from nature. For the few colors that aren’t available near my home in Loudoun County, Virginia, I use utilize shops in the U.S. and Canada that specialize in natural dyes.
In an effort to reduce waste, I source nearly all my cotton fabric from thrift stores and estate sales, always looking for organic tags and quality brands. The fine silks and linens in my work come from suppliers with fabrics uniquely suited for natural dyes and that support ethical and sustainable production. Metal embellishments and glass seed beads are from my own collection of vintage costume jewelry, antique stores, and estate sales.
Examples of natural dye materials I use in my work include goldenrod, oak, maple, black walnut, marigold, dahlia, avocado, pomegranate, cochineal, logwood, madder root, onion skins, chicory, Queen Anne’s lace, and a homemade iron solution made from rusty nails and vinegar.
Eco printing materials include yarrow, thistle, wild rose, dandelion, buttercup, goatsbeard, ironweed, daisy, dahlia, marigold, cosmos, rudbeckia, wild iris, and just about anything else I find along the walking path that will make a lasting print on the fabric.
Once I’ve completely exhausted the dyes and dyestuffs, I toss nearly all the raw materials into my home compost bin.
Robin Scherrer 