by Frida and Kristina
Over the past 2 years Frida has developed the Tansy plot in the dye garden.
Tanacetum vulgare (gael: Barr a’ Bhrisgein) is a common native plant found along the roadside and all over Europe. It was commonly used on the Western Isles of Scotland to dye wool. The flowers, leaves and stalks picked in August give a good range of yellow dyes which can be combined with an over dye of woad or Japanese indigo to give strong greens.
The leaves were used for cooking and medicines in the past and the roots were boiled or roasted. It is an easy plant to cultivate from seed but be careful as it could spread all over your garden if not contained.
Nadine Dougall from Edinburgh came along to the garden in August to pick some flowers which she has dried for later dye use this winter.
A range of different tansy dyed wool hanks along with one hank overdyed with woad.
Frida also experimented dyeing the Japanese indigo leaves using ice and white vinegar to give this lovely lighter blue. It is a much simpler recipe than using the hot method with chemicals, which was showcased in the previous month’s newsletter.
If anyone would like to view some of our results dyeing with natural dyes please come to The Weaving Project exhibition at 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN on 5-9 October & 12–16 October 2026 from 10-5.30 pm and have a chat with us about our projects.
