Sustainability

 I am passionate about sustainability, and I approach it in my textile work in several different ways.

Yarn Choices-

I often use Pendleton wool blanket selvedges that would normally go to the landfill. I sew them into balls of “yarn” to be used as weft in rugs and wall pieces. Sometimes these “yarns” are also dyed using natural dyes.

Reuse of Yarn-

I buy donated yarn from a local Scrap store (all donated art supplies) so these yarns are re-purposed and therefore, kept out of the landfill.

 I often reclaim yarn from antique stores and flea markets, so no new fiber and yarn is being produced. I currently am working with baling twine used for hay bales I got at a vintage farm supply store.

Dyes-

 Often no dye is used, the yarn is it’s natural in color like linen, cotton, or wool. If I do chose to dye natural dyes are preferred to be used instead of chemical dyes.

Some of the natural dyes are sourced locally in the Pacific Northwest. Depending on the mordant, as a type of fixative, used with each natural dye stuff, the final color achieved is affected.

Natural Dye Examples-

Cochineal- gives a vibrant pink or red color

 Oak Gall – sourced locally and gives a grey color with rust mordant

Saxon Blue gives a turquoise blue color

Coreopsis- sourced locally and gives an orange color