The circle that binds

There are many things to astound as one hangs over a dye pot and in a curious twist of timing

(fate?)

a question I've been asking myself presented a sealing wax answer.

The question was, why am I spending so much time learning about natural dyeing

when I could be spending all this time on stitching and beading?

Surely there is enough dyed fabric available to use as it is ...

Let me backstory just a little to fill in some blanks ...

Our merry band of shibori stitchers here on the island has morphed a bit 

into a quite smitten (still merry!) band of natural dyers and we've been meeting regularly to 

dip into uncharted waters (so to speak).  It's been a wild time with some raucous experimenting.

We met last week and one member brought a  HUGE  selection of clippings to share ...

that's her garden above, so lovely ...

in the mix was a red-leaved barberry (Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea sp.) which produced

such a yummy mauve it caused considerable swooning.  Much swooning, in fact.

She was very productive that day.

What a stash!

But I digress ...

the dye pot had been so full there wasn't room for many bundles

so this generous owner of said barberry shrub offered to let us come and clip some more,

should we have the desire ~

which I sorely did.

I brought my treasure bag home and chopped up everything - leaves, stems, thorns, everything, 

and put the pot on to simmer, marveling at the brilliant red color

before covering tightly to raise the heat quickly.

Inside, I wrapped my bundles and periodically stepped out onto the porch to give the brew

a stir.  This took a fair bit of time ... one-burner hot plates are not the Ferrari's of the heating world.

In about an hour, I raised the lid and was engulfed in the magnificent aroma of steaming roses.

Roses???!

I kid you not.

It was then I knew for sure and my question finally had an answer:  the mystery of plants 

has long held me in its grip ... I am a 

flower floozie and plantaholic from way back, a garden "ho"... does it not make complete and utter sense

that I'm now captivated by one more of their alluring properties,

their ability to dye cloth?

I see what's happened now ... I've come full circle.

Here was the barberry shrub in the garden (far right)

...and here it is on the cloth.

: : :

Resting quietly in the shade until unwrapping day, July 30th ...