The Loom Shed Natural Dye Symposium 2024

This event has become one of the highlights of the year at The Loom Shed. We have been blessed with such inspirational speakers that we usually head straight for the dye pot the day after the talks. This year is no exception.

During the day, we have four speakers talking about their work with natural dyes, whether it be how they created their business or what it is about using natural dyes that inspires them. We have also enjoyed talks about the science and history of natural dyes.

This is a hybrid event; we have two speakers speaking at The Loom Shed, and two will be giving their talk online. All will be available to view live from the comfort of your own home, or you can join us at The Loom Shed for the day. You’ll chat to the speakers, be tempted by their products, and of course, enjoy a lovely Loom Shed lunch in good company.

All talks will also be recorded, so if you can’t make the date or time, you’ll be sent a recording on Wednesday 28th February) to watch and catch up for two weeks after the symposium.

Our first speaker of the day is Sophie Holt from PIGMENT Organic, a business that champions the small scale commercial growing of dye plants. It is also a business that embeds itself within the community, offering work placements to adults with learning difficulties. A business that takes its social and environmental commitment seriously. Sophie will speak from The Loom Shed and will bring a selection of her products for you to buy.

Our second speaker is Malú Colorín from Talu Textiles, West Wicklow, Ireland. Originally from Mexico, Malu brings her love of colour and slow textiles to life through her business. She teaches and offers a dye service to small textile businesses. She encourages us all to slow down and think about our impact on the world around us. She is also a founder member of Fibreshed Ireland, further cementing her commitment to reducing the impact of textiles on the planet. Malú will be speaking online.

Our third speaker is Sue Day from Blotz Dyes. Sue will share her research into natural dyes of the Roman era. Where did the plants come from and what were they used for? Sue’s relationship with natural dyes started at an early age, which has paid dividends now, as not only does she sell natural dye products, but also re-enacts the life of Roman dyer at a Roman villa in the Cotswolds. Sue will speak from The Loom Shed, so the audience at The Loom Shed can see her samples first hand. She will also be bringing a number of products from Blotz dyes too.

We offer a warm welcome back to our final speaker, Susan Dye from Nature’s Rainbow. Her talk is entitled Foraging for Colour, and she will share some of the findings from a group of natural dyers interested in the sustainability of foraging for dye plants. Susan will debate the many complex issues surrounding this topic and the next steps the group will take to develop guidelines for natural dyers that can be considered when foraging. Susan will be online, speaking from Hitchin, where Nature’s Rainbow have their dye garden.

You can read more about all our speakers here