Me …
So what’s it all about??
Today – the 23 rd July, is my 64th Birthday – entry to the 65th year. As a birthday present I wanted to give myself a challenge. Madder is my favourite dyestuff, it’s fantastic! Rich reds, pinks, oranges, purples – so many different colours just from the one root. From today until the 23rd July 2021 there will be 65 different recipes using this wonderful dyestuff !
These recipes will be a mixture of Historical, more modern adaptations and off the wall experiments. Just over 1 per week for the next 52 weeks.
If anyone is reading this and fancies following the journey , you are very welcome, feel free to offer advice or make suggestions – we are all always learning!
For almost half my life I have been running a small business producing naturally dyed yarns, fibres and cloth. When starting out using natural dyes it all seemed so easy – what was all the fuss? It didn’t take long to realize how little in fact I did know, but there is so much pleasure in the finding out and mastering a little bit more! You will never hear me call myself an expert – I stick with the old adage that an ex is a has been and a spurt is a drip under pressure – it’s not possible to know it all, but it is possible to specialise in a subject to ensure a more thorough understanding.
I don’t know if blogs can be dedicated to anyone – but this one is for Bronwyn Hazel, hopefully when she’s old enough to read it she will learn a little bit about her Nainy.
To Nic, Dave and John thank you so much for the support all these years, you’ve been amazing, All my love.
13 Comments
Val Tarrant
Have you done any experimenting with cold dyeing with madder? I’d be interested to hear about your experiences.
Deb Bamford
Hi Val, I have as an exhaust, but it will be something that I do during the year …
Louise DROSDZOL
Hi Debbie
Could you add a place on the blog where we can add our emails and we will get a message when you publish a new post?
Thanks Louise
Deb Bamford
will look into it! Dyeing I can do, technology leaves me panicking!!! I thought it just happened, must need some sort of widget I guess? Sorry! Deb
Debra Hayward
Fascinating. One of my life goals is to get a brilliant red with madder. Hopefully I live that long! But Iām enjoying the journey.
Deborah Barker
What a wonderful project. I will certainly be following along.
Deb Bamford
Thanks for the encouragement – and welcome! Deb
Claudia
How exciting – Happy Birthday (also July baby of same year). What a lovely legacy to leave for little Bronwyn Hazel – she is a lucky girl indeed.
Deb Bamford
Thank you, I do wonder if she will appreciate it – or be more like her uncle …!
Kirsty Sutherland
Fascinated by the colours from madder and now growing a tiny patch in Edinburgh for future use. Have really enjoyed the slow process of working with root chunks a couple of times now and noticed a real difference in colour with two batches from different sources. Smell too of the dye itself.. Anyway will most definitely be following your Madder story and sharing of knowledge and experience.
Deb Bamford
Thanks for your comments, hopefully you’ll enjoy what happens during the year – it’s starting simple and then looking into things more and more! welcome along!
Marie
What a fantastic idea and belated happy birthday. Is there a way to follow your blog or is it best to just check in once a week? Sorry I’m rarely in at the start of things. š
Deb Bamford
Am going to try and sort asap! Technlogy, gah!!
Deb