Botanical Dye Workshop

🌿 Naturally Inspired: Karen Taylor's Summer Botanical Dyeing Workshop

There’s something quietly magical about watching colour bloom from nature—and this summer, Karen has truly embraced that magic. Over the past few months, our studio has been filled with soft earthy tones, bundles of foraged leaves, and the gentle hiss of steam as natural dyes infuse fabric with life.

Karen has been experimenting with everything from onion skins, avocado stones, and iron modifiers, to tannin-rich teas and foraged finds from her garden. The result? A stunning collection of naturally dyed fabrics, lovingly transformed into hand-stitched pin cushions, pouches, and small bags—each one telling its own story through colour and texture.

🍂 A Slow Craft Reimagined

Botanical dyeing is all about patience and presence. It invites us to slow down and reconnect—with materials, with process, and with nature itself. The colours are often subtle, unexpected, and deeply satisfying.

Karen’s pieces reflect that spirit. Her patchwork works combine repurposed fabrics—many vintage or reclaimed—with gentle sashiko-style stitching. Soft browns, dusty pinks, sun-bleached greens and smokey lavenders blend seamlessly, the product of both intention and serendipity.

♻️ Sustainability in Practice

At The Textile Workshop, we care deeply about creativity that’s both soulful and sustainable. Karen’s work this summer is a beautiful reminder of what can grow from scraps, slowness, and a little curiosity. Whether you're foraging in your back garden or upcycling an old pillowcase, the dye pot is waiting.

Beyond the dye pot, Karen has been breathing new life into her naturally coloured fabrics by turning them into beautifully crafted small bags, pin cushions, and stitched samplers. Each item showcases her eye for texture and composition—combining delicate hand stitching with reclaimed cloth and subtle, earthy tones. These pieces are not only practical, but also deeply personal—quiet celebrations of slow craft, resourcefulness, and creativity.

🌼 Want to Try It Yourself?

Our botanical dyeing workshops have quickly become one of the most loved additions to the TTW calendar. They're creative, a little bit messy, and full of surprises. You’ll leave with a bundle of beautifully dyed fabric—and a new way of seeing the world around you.

Whether you're new to dyeing or a seasoned stitcher looking to add something organic to your work, you're welcome to join us.

Our new class is on 12th July, 10am-3pm, only £55 and available to book online now. We have a special collaboration with John Birdsall (@john.birdsall.14 on Instagram) who’s bringing Weld, Genista and Madder from his local allotment. That’ll be alongside onion, avocado, red cabbage, turmeric, black beans, wax resists, plus modifiers - tin, copper, iron and mordants - alum and soya. Book soon as places are limited.

BOOK HERE