(I personally would’ve spelled it “cauldron,” but to each their own odd but kosher linguistic idiosyncrasies.)
Certain shades in the world of textile dyes are difficult to produce, such as cochineal red, from the ground remains of a specific insect; or tyrian purple, from a particular species of sea snail. But others, as Sasha Duerr well knows, are easier to come by.
She’s one of a few savvy fashionistas attempting to bring back the lost art of botanical dyes, coloring shirts with fava bean vines and hats with sour grass. And the process is simple—boil water, add plants, add fabric, enjoy the rainbow spectrum. Click through for the in-depth exploration of a reviving talent near-dead since the mid-Victorian era. —MN
