Natural Dyes

In Ordering Your Life,

Life in Harmony with Nature and Spirit. 

~ Rudolf Steiner Exercises for the Days of the Week

During Module 2 of the Waldorf Institute Practical Arts Teacher Training my class was introduced to natural dyes by Mona Lewis. She is the Handwork teacher at Highland Hall Waldorf School. Jack Bryant is the Practical Arts teacher and he introduced us to toy making and wood working. 

Symploco "tea"  mordant

Normally, when dying fabrics a mordant that is made of alum, copper or iron is used as a "glue" for they dye to adhere to fiber. Many people are searching for non-metal mordants as alternatives. Symplocos was introduced to us by Ms. Lewis. Symplocos comes from the leaves of the Symplocos tree in Indoneisa. The Natural Mordant Project is a program which builds partnerships for sustainability with rain forest communities and indigenous textile artists in Indonesia.

Symolcos leaves a yellow tint to the fiber.

Hanging out to dry.

Natural dyes allows the children to feel connected to the Earth. This Module we were introduced to cochineal, logwood and Osage yellow. 

 Cochineal----Pretty berry color

 Logwood- beautiful violet/blue. 

 Osage yellow. -"ducky yellow." 

 Logwood and Osage yellow hanging out in the sun to dry. 

Kitchen Alchemy

We had fun experiencing what foods created natural colors for dyes. Food was placed in mason jars with a sample fiber and allowed to naturally heat in the sun. 

A "Blue Study." The variations in blue were created by different Natural dyes. They range from: woad, black beans, indigo and logwood. 

In the Third Grade Handwork curriculum the students are introduced to crocheting. After two years of knitting, crocheting is introduced by means of pot holders. Once the potholders are finished then students are introduced to "Granny Squares."  After Granny Squares students are then instructed on how to make a crochet bag or hat. Third grade is also when spinning with a drop spindle. I was able to bring my variations of drop spindles to show the class. 

In conjunction with Ms. Lewis's class of Handwork.

 I also experienced 4th and 5th grade wood working projects with Jack Bryant. In Mr. Jack's woodworking class we made the traditional ball in cup toy from a tree branch. That was a lot whittling! Once that was completed I had time to make a Jacob's Ladder. The board in the back of the collection is a portable work bench that can be added to any table for woodworking projects. 

I look forward to sharing my experiences.

Warmly,

H