India Flint has been featured in the current issue of Organic Gardener (Jan – Feb 2017).
Below is my blog post from 2013 after attending an India Flint eco-dyeing workshop. She has been and continues to be the primary influence for my approach to cloth and colour. It is a continuous learning process for me and I am grateful for the foundation laid by her and others who share her approach to the gentle art of natural, environmentally sustainable dyeing.
India Flint unravelled the world of natural and sustainable dyeing to me through her two books Eco-Colour and Second Skin.
A lot of what she had to say about the present day dyeing processes ( practised in a large environmentally detrimental way in a handful of countries) was an alarming eye opener.
Her localised and regional approach to this craft as well extensive knowledge of native Australian flora to colour fibre and fabric made for some very informative reading.
So when the opportunity came up for me to attend a three day workshop in Bunbury with India I put my hand up.
It turned out to be a time well spent for a novice like myself stepping out into the world of eco-dyeing, where the colours of nature are celebrated and where the slow crafting approach is something to be cherished.
I was probably one of the few with little or no practical knowledge of dyeing. There were other very talented and experienced crafters and artists who were there to build on their knowledge and experience. India certainly had a wealth of information that they were able to draw upon.
I absorbed all that I could. And I’m happy to say that when I finally get down to dyeing my hand spun wool, or future woven bags or the eri yarn from home, I know exactly the direction to take. For me, the provenance of my cloth need no longer be an unknown entity.
Photos of the workshop for all you curious onlookers and die-hard India Flint fans!