Articles

Published articles have appeared in the Journal of the Association of Weavers Spinners and Dyers Guild, London Guild Warp & Weft and British Fibre Art. We are always happy to write for new audiences.

Sebastian Oake profiled us for Hertfordshire Life in the March/April 2021 edition.

For a general article on creating a dye garden you might like https://journalwsd.org.uk/article/the-dye-plant-garden

Talks

Susan is available for (and loves giving) talks. She has spoken to a wide range of audiences including local Quilters Guilds, Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Guilds, an Embroiderers Guild, the AGM of the International Feltmakers Association and  Horticultural Societies and Clubs, including visitors to RHS Rosemoor Woolfest in Devon.

Talks can be delivered with or without powerpoint and are accompanied by samples and props.
Speaker fee is adjusted according to size and nature of the group.

For talks a substantial distance from Hitchin it might be possible to combine with a workshop on the same or following day. Please contact us to discuss possibilities.

Talks on the following subjects are available at fairly short notice.  But if there is a specific topic your group is interested in please get in touch, since other talks can be prepared with sufficient notice.

Madder: History, Horticulture and Use 
All about this wonderful plant that has been in use for 1000s of years.
Includes practical advice on growing and processing to get the best reds.

Madder: History, Horticulture and Use

 

An Experiment on Weld: Dismissing Red Herrings and Confirming Old Wives Tales
An account of a 384 sample experiment to explore the variables that affect quality of colour from Weld on wool mordanted with Alum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The History of Norwich Red: A lost recipe for wool and silk
Mostly history. About the Stark family of dyers spanning the 18 and 19 Centuries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mordanting: Should I and if so how?
A technical talk with a dash of history

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant Dyes for Textile Crafters
Can be adapted to different audiences
Practial tips for use of plant dyes