Natural Dye Techniques Explained

Have you ever wondered how the vibrant colors of flowers can transform your wardrobe? Join us in this episode of Growing Joy with Plants as we dive into the enchanting world of botanical printing with Ceilidh, the visionary founder of the sustainable clothing line BillyNou. Together, we explore the art of natural dyeing, where the beauty of plants meets the creativity of fashion. Ceilidh shares her journey as a designer living in the picturesque Provence, France, and her passion for harnessing the power of non-toxic flowers to create stunning botanical prints on fabric.

As we unravel the secrets of botanical printing, Ceilidh introduces various dyeing techniques, including the mesmerizing methods of bundle dyeing and immersion dyeing. Discover which flowers yield the most vibrant colors and learn how to safely incorporate these natural pigments into your own fabric creations. This episode is an invitation for all plant lovers and gardening enthusiasts to connect with nature through the colors and textures of their gardens.

Throughout the conversation, we touch on the therapeutic benefits of engaging with plants and the mental health advantages of home-based wellness activities like mindful gardening. Ceilidh emphasizes the importance of using non-toxic materials, making this a perfect episode for plant parents who are passionate about holistic plant care and joyful living.

Join us as we embark on this colorful journey of botanical printing! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn from Ceilidh and explore how you can use flowers from your garden or local markets to create beautiful, sustainable pieces of art. Listen now and let your creativity blossom & grow!

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:12] Who is Ceilidh and how did she start BillyNou?
• [05:07] How a Steiner/Waldorf education shaped her creativity
• [09:06] What is a natural dye?
• [12:48] Which fabrics give beginners the best results?
• [15:08] How to rinse and prep fibers correctly
• [15:30] Wind River Chimes
• [17:09] The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa Ziegler
• [18:40] Can you dye denim?
• [21:38] What makes bundle dyeing the ultimate beginner technique?
• [22:56] What are the best flowers to use as dyes?
• [24:11] How to dye a denim jacket
• [24:37] How to lay out flowers before rolling
• [26:43] How to steam your bundle safely at home
• [29:06] How modifiers shift the colors
• [29:53] Why pH-neutral soap matters
• [31:37] Biggest mistakes with bundle dyeing
• [32:07] Which flowers don’t work well as dyes (and why)
• [33:04] Dyeing with medicinal herbs for symbolic meaning
• [35:05] Best food scraps for dyeing
• [36:25] Where to find BillyNou’s clothes, tutorials, and workshops
• [38:11] Inside her Creative Floral Retreat in Provence

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Viral Bundle Dyeing Video
• Bundle Dyeing Ebook
• Creative Floral Retreat
• Lookbook

Excited to get started with your botanical prints?

Check out the full show notes and blog here for Ceilidh's guide!

Follow Ceilidh:

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Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa M Ziegler

Pick up The Cut Flower Handbook at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, and wherever books are sold. 

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