This summer I am interning with ASK apparel, now known as Artisan Natural Dyes. A company owned and operated by two lovely sisters in Nashville, TN. I am one of two interns helping out for the summer. We work on a 200 ft plot of land on the Shutter Creek farm, growing indigo, marigolds and sunflowers. We use plants from last year's crop (along with other plants found, foraged, given and bought) to create natural dye solutions. Dying naturally is much easier than I heard, although it takes much more time and knowledge than using synthetic dyes. I have learned the japanese technique of stenciling, Katazome, using homemade soymilk and rice paste to paint on plant or animal based fiber. I love taking a handful of marigolds and turning a white piece of fabric into a bursting sun yellow. Stepping closer to the roots of dying, I feel closer to the earth, the mother and my creator.
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