Heritage Crafts - Natural Dyeing

Heritage Craft Courses and Workshops

Heritage Crafts - Natural Dyeing - Background

Natural dyeing is without doubt one of the oldest heritage crafts with a history going back thousands of years. During this time, dyeing methods and processes have not changed that much! Natural dyeing today is still a process carried out by hand using dye ancient dyes from plants, insects and tree barks, such as Madder, Weld, and Cochineal.

Heritage Association

We are a member of the Heritage Crafts Association which aims to protect heritage crafts such as natural dyeing. Our ethos at FelinFach is governed by the three words NATURAL - TRADITIONAL - HANDMADE. We strongly believe that hand dyeing animal fibres such as sheep wool, and plant based fibres such as linen and cotton is a craft heritage that should be preserved. 

Natural Dyeing Heritage Courses

Learn a heritage craft. Our natural dyeing courses are a modern day hands-on learning experience but still using the same basic ingredients and processes as in times gone by. Our courses use ancient dyes such as Madder, Weld, and Cochineal, to name a few, in their natural form as well as extract. Our courses range from half-day "Taster Courses" to 1 and 2 day courses. Full details of all courses, click the button. 

CRAFT COURSES
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There is a beauty and depth of colour to natural dyes that becomes more beautiful with age. Hand dyed colours, dyed with natural dyes may be repeated but they can never be exactly the same - part of the beauty of a handmade product! 

Customers have asked us...

• What is a heritage Craft?
  We think a heritage craft is a skill or process that has been practiced by the human race over many, many years or even centuries. The skills and processes are by hand. Hand dyeing fibres with natural dyes is a heritage craft.
• Is Natural Dyeing and Endangered Craft?
  We think not as the interest in natural dyeing is growing. It remains a small part of the dyeing industry today but we believe demand is growing.
• What Crafts are Endangered?
  The Heritage Crafts Association of which we are a member, maintains the list of endangered crafts, known as the 'Red List'.

About FelinFach

      

Our company, FelinFach Natural Textiles is located in the heart of the Preseli area of Pembrokeshire near to Boncath. We design Welsh blankets and the iconic Welsh Tapestry blankets which are traditionally woven at Welsh mills. We also design and make natural hand dyed yarn, cotton, silk and wool scarves are all available in our yarn store and shop. We also offer Welsh tartans, Sheepskin Rugs, Gift Cards and tools and books for crafters and knitters - Cocoknits, Laine, Amirisu and Making to name a few! Our candles, soaps and hair care products are all hand made. Lastly, craft courses on hand dyeing with 100% natural dyes in the purpose designed FelinFach Dye Studio. We are a proud supporter of the Campaign for Wool, All Things Wales and Global Welsh.

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Last update 19th June 2022