Episode 92: Natural Dyes

Join us in this fascinating chat with Bonnie Warwick, a lifelong resident of Red Hook, NY and a key member of the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers Association and the Elmendorph Hand Spinners Guild. Known for her magical touch in natural dyeing, Bonnie takes us through her lifelong journey from learning to knit at five years old, her stint in Panama, and her endless experiments with natural dyes in New York’s Hudson Valley. Bonnie’s family had a farm stand and introduced her to plants. Since then, her diverse experiences included her early exposure to knitting, working with indigenous people in Panama, becoming a nurse, delving into the world of sheep breeds, and transitioning from synthetic dyes to natural ones. This all fueled her passion for fiber arts and natural dyes, driven by sustainability and uniqueness. Get a peek into her dye kitchen at the Dutchess County Fair and learn about her unique techniques in working with different types of metals, waters and plants to achieve the desired colors.

Bonnie also touches on her experiments with natural dyes, highlighting the challenges of achieving consistent colors due to factors like water quality and mordants. Bonnie also mentions her cotton cultivation project and the various cotton varieties she grows, which come in brown, green, and white (who knew!) and her extensive dyeing garden, which features around 80 different plants used for natural dyeing. She discusses the challenges of growing certain plants and the need to rotate beds due to soil nutrient depletion. Bonnie shares tips for those interested in natural dyeing, including online resources, books, and the use of simple jars to start experimenting.

Bonnie doesn't hold back in sharing her wealth of knowledge about natural dyeing and crafting techniques. Listen as she guides us on how to duplicate a fabric color, manage a dyeing garden and the intricacies of dyeing natural fibers. She touches on her experiments with natural dyes, highlighting the challenges of achieving consistent colors due to factors like water quality and mordants. Bonnie also mentions her cotton cultivation project and the various cotton varieties she grows, which come in brown, green, and white (who knew!). She talks about spinning wool, the different tools used, and the importance of this skill in our everyday life. Bonnie also discusses the challenges of growing certain plants and the need to rotate beds due to soil nutrient depletion. She shares tips for those interested in natural dyeing, including online resources, books, and the use of simple jars to start experimenting.

You’ll be inspired by her stories and pick up some great advice if you're looking to get started in natural dyeing or spinning. So tune in to Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, get comfy, and let Bonnie take you on a journey through the wonderful world of natural dyes and handcrafts.

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Annie Scibienski 

Guest: Bonnie Warwick 

Photo by: Bonnie Warwick 

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, and Annie Scibienski 

Resources

BOOKS 

• Dyes from nature / Rita Buchanan, guest editor. 

• A dyer's garden : from plant to pot : growing dyes for natural fibers / Rita Buchanan. 

• A weaver's garden / Rita Buchanan ; illustrations by Steve Buchanan. 

• Gardening & Foraging Natural Dyes by Pat Brodowskiof dyeing with nature's palette!

ORGANIZATIONS 

• Duchess County Sheep & Wool Growers Association 

• Elmendorph Hand Spinners Guild

Last updated October 29, 2023