Natural Dye Textiles: Pii Md, Northern Thailand

Welcome to the first in a series of emails showcasing the people and processes behind the fabrics we sell. Those of you that have been here a while will know that we make every effort to source our fabrics from small producers and family businesses. It's been wonderful to be a part of the symbiotic growth our family business in Shropshire and those we've bought from over the years in Thailand and Indonesia.

Textiles in Northern Thailand

Over the course of this most recent buying trip Jim and Di discovered a couple of small workshops they hadn't worked with before. I think it's safe to say we're all very excited about building a relationship with these talented artisans, and bringing their wares to you! One such producer is a lovely guy in Northern Thailand named Pii Md (pictured below).

Here he is preparing ebony berries, marigold flowers, mango leaves, indigo and rosewood to use as dyes.

Natural Dye Techniques

The dyes are heated in huge vats, whilst the lengths of bamboo and cotton are laid out on the ground. Pii Md uses a variety of creative techniques to give the fabrics pattern and texture. For the moon print fabric you can see that he has used paper stuck on with rice paste as a resist (a great DIY idea for those of you who want to experiment at home). Once the dye is ready, he sprays it onto the lengths of fabric.

Naturally Dyed Fabric by the metre