Natural Dye Podcast

On this episode of the Natural Dye Podcast we talked to Rin, the creator behind Modus Operandi Fibers. At one point Rin had a position as an epidemiologist but ultimately left the data-driven desk job to start Modus Operandi Fibers. Rin now focuses on producing beautiful naturally dyed yarns and fibers, sharing their passion for organic gardening, science, experimenting, and creativity along the way. Alongside MO Fibers Rin also provides resources to natural dyers on how to grow your own dye garden and use natural dyes through their education program Dirt + Dye. We hope you love Rin’s incredible journey as much as we do!

Niki Tsukamoto is an artist and indigo enthusiast who is one half of the duo behind Lookout & Wonderland, a home for radical idea making and collaborative creation. Over the years, Lookout and Wonderland has worked with fashion labels such as Stussy and interior space such as the Ace Hotel in Brooklyn. From curtains to shoes, blouses to soft goods, Lookout and Wonderland has continuously shown us the beauty that is found in slowing down and exploring color from natural dyes.

Donna Brown is a fiber artist from Denver, Colorado with over 30 years of natural-dyeing and teaching experience. Donna has taught natural dyeing internationally and at institutions based in the United States, such as Penland School of Crafts and John C. Campbell Folk School. She is also a member of the Rocky Mountain Weaver’s Guild and helps to run the Janice Ford Memorial Dye Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. The Janice Ford Memorial Dye Garden is a place where community members learn to grow and use plants for dyeing yarn, fabric and basketry materials.

Episode 2 features ash alberg of sunflower knit & from field to skin. ash is a queer femme and fibre witch who seeks to create beautiful and practical designs using sustainable methods. Equally importantly, they seek to nurture the skills, knowledge, and creativity of fellow fibre witches to achieve their goals.In this episode, ash discusses the intimacy and responsibility of creating with seasonal, local colors and the problematical industry standard of comparing and grading natural dyes with synthetic colorants. We also learn more about from field to skin which chronicles ash’s adventures in the Canadian fibershed.