NATURAL DYES : SLOW WALKING & COLLABORATIVE TEXTILE PROJECT
2020
A collaborative textile project in combination with a series of slow walks in the landscape of the North West Highlands. As an Autumn project, the process reflected the seasonal rhythms and considered ideas of slowing down, harvesting, contemplation and reflection. Elements of my Forest Bathing practice were incorporated in order to encourage people to use their senses to deepen their connection to the land. The walks created space for discussions exploring history, culture and ecology of the area in a mindful and meditative way and also incorporated time for observational drawing and writing. Participants were invited to collect and forage materials from their landscape, garden and kitchen waste to use as dyestuff for textile dyeing. Participants were then invited to workshops to collectively learn textile techniques such as eco-printing, natural dyeing and leaf printing on panels of fabric. The ideas generated during the walk were stitched, woven and intertwined into garments, creating a record or ‘map’ of the place and their experience which evoked the specificities of the season and locale. This format created opportunities for sharing and experimentation and participants were encouraged to continue working, sewing and sketching at home. The focus of the project was on slow, contemplative and handmade processes, connecting to nature and ideas around sustainability by using low impact, local products and the reuse and upcycling of goods. The project followed Covid-19 guidance and restrictions outlined by the Scottish Government by working socially-distanced with only one household at a time, outside.
“I am really enjoying this project because it's so organic and flexible. Collecting natural dyestuffs and experimenting with their varying pigments has been an exciting learning experience! When I started sewing onto my garment I found it very therapeutic to handle the different fabrics, ripping and cutting into them to see what organic forms naturally occurred. Whilst drawing in my sketchbook I found it very freeing to express myself through simple mark-making; inspired by natural forms and types of stitch.”
— Participant
“I have loved each stage and all the processes. The project has helped me to slow down and do something purely for me; something creative and inspiring. I’ve learned much, enjoyed dying and subsequently the mark-making involved with the threads, and in particular I really love that I am now embracing the art of sketchbooking.”
— Participant
Supported by Highland Youth Arts Hub and Creative Scotland as part of the Creative in your Community project.