Last September, I took a workshop at the Marshfield School of Weaving on dyeing with plants gathered from garden, field and forest. I headed up to Vermont right after quitting my job in publishing and could feel myself sliding into a different way of being. It seems significant that, through this workshop, I learned that an exquisite palette of colors has been sitting right under my nose for years. Plants that are often taken for weeds in cities can be sources of rich pigment, most of which were a staple part of existence in New England until chemical dyes were invented. How quickly knowledge is lost. It makes the Middle Ages after the glory of Rome a lot more understandable.
Natural color takes to wool beautifully, and generally with little more than a pot of boiling water and a good pair of clippers to chop up the harvested plant material. Some plants are more demanding than others- Indigo needs to be fermented in order to offer up its blue pigment, called indigotin, and the traditional way of doing this is with human urine. Other dyes take best to wool that has been mordanted with alum, a gentle chemical that can be purchased in the baking aisle of any market. But that’s about as dirty as it gets. After working with chemical dyes at RISD where I was assured that they were “only toxic if you breath them in” (um, great), pee sounds pretty refreshing. What’s more, in Vermont, preparing a urine vat is usually an occasion for celebration. No quicker way to fill a 5 gallon pail than by throwing a pee party!
It is inspiring and infectious for me to be around people who live with real intention, and spending a day with a group of women who were all mothers, farmers and/or homesteaders and healers was just incredible. The weekend in Marshfield was the kick off to my year of focusing on health, wellbeing and happiness, particularly by shadowing women who have found those things by living off the earth. Of course, my original ideas for the year morphed along the way – I didn’t end up as far away as I thought I would, but instead, found health in growing roots of my own, tending to the garden that has been outside my door this whole time…but that’s a story for another post.
You can see more of my photos of The Marshfield School of Weaving here, and for information on upcoming classes at the school, including Natural Wool Dyes from Vermont Gardens, Meadows & Hedgerows with Joann Darling (the class I took with the same wonderful teacher), head here.
HOPE STATE STYLE 
Joann Darling June 29, 2015
HI Caroline, Thanks you for your eye and skill in capturing the essence of that day last September. I hope to see you again at the school. Be Well Joann darling
catharsishungry07 July 10, 2015
Loved the pictures! They have a certain soothing & calming quality about them :)
Jezori July 10, 2015
Interesting!
Jim Grey July 10, 2015
What a lovely set of photos! So well composed, and together they tell a story. Nicely done!
plpkb707611 July 10, 2015
Reblogged this on plpkb707611.
Nasir July 10, 2015
Reblogged this on TRUTH ODG.
epoy5038 July 10, 2015
pointsoftwo.wordpress.com
latetanguis July 10, 2015
Lovely pics! I’m afraid the urine party might be a deal breaker for me personally, but it sounds like a hilarious time :)
sylviaromano July 10, 2015
Reblogged this on eu e meu blog-blog da dra SYLVIA ROMANO and commented:
LINDO VELHO ESQUECIDO POBRE PÉ NO CHAO FRIO ROUPA RASGADA POBREZA DOENÇA-VELHICE MORTE TUMULO GENTE PERDIDA-CRANIO VAZIO NAO SOU NADA, REMEDIOS DROGAS FALSAS
Sameeha July 10, 2015
I Love you photographs. They are very unique
puspita1010 July 10, 2015
Follow back my blog. Will be so glad if u could do it. It will means gold to me. ☺ ❤❤
Richard July 10, 2015
For a minute I thought it was going to be on things like “Caca Dauphin” (yes, it is a legitimate color, and it’s exactly the sort of color you’d expect it to be). Then I scrolled down…
Natural dyes on natural fabrics. Isn’t it great fun to Do It Yourself? And the tiniest tweak – like a different mordant – magically changes the color!
Caroline Goddard July 13, 2015
Haha Richard, I would love to sell a scarf with that name.
olympiaro August 1, 2015
Nice!!! Please check my blog!!! 🙏🏼
humanfealty/human Faith July 10, 2015
ماشااللّہ
shalloweuphoria July 10, 2015
great pictures you have there! :)
kisses from the Philippines! <3 https://shalloweuphoria.wordpress.com/
justin22225 July 10, 2015
Reblogged this on justin22225.
handwrittenonly July 10, 2015
Loved the connections made with nature and the women who were with you in this venture. Sounded like a wonderful experience. I think the urine vat is a great conversation piece! I would be game….I think. Your photographs were so detailed and made me feel like rushing out and taking a class…I don’t know if Los Angeles would have one :)
tarunmankar July 10, 2015
Nice….
ferrysibarani July 10, 2015
Really nice photos. I can read a story on them))
moagha2017 July 10, 2015
تغف
Amitav Chowdhury July 10, 2015
Wonderful post. Loved the photos.
bollywooddhamaka12 July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on bollywooddhamaka12 and commented:
The Colors We Forgot We Had
Yohanes Pius Tenouye July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on Pius Tenouye and commented:
Mempromosikan Wisata Tanah Papua
mamatune July 11, 2015
Wow! This is beautiful. You really know how to weave a story through pictures. The dyes turned out really bright! And urine to activate indigo, I never knew!
sanftmut July 11, 2015
Wow that sounds great. I’d love to do the same!
amandarizkita July 11, 2015
Nice
cadencegautier July 11, 2015
Love your peace go see me cadencegautier.wordpress.com
Mohit Bagla July 11, 2015
awesome stuff
estemarks July 11, 2015
You know I could see myself doing this. Thanks for sharing.
mosttrending July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on mosttrending.
katmphotography July 11, 2015
beautiful images, beautiful words. this was a most pleasant read, on a Saturday afternoon. lovely post. thank you for sharing x
baghzaf July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on ClubScolaire & Connaissances.
nafeesamanzoor July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on Feeling.
jmpod July 11, 2015
i love that your title speaks not only to the natural hues of life around us that we stop seeing – but also perhaps to a rediscovery of yourself. the photos were richly steeped in both. thank you.
rayma4 July 11, 2015
I love how the pics talk by themselves…they are the work of a creative mind…please follow back.
lorecodori July 11, 2015
Interesting ❤️ !
slayer July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on slayer.
Leslie July 11, 2015
Such a well written post and gorgeous photos. I’m jealous! :)
themidnightwritereditorial July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on The Midnight Writer.
melodyrose123 July 11, 2015
Loved the pictures so much!!
tanu July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on Twisted Zoul.
fortknoxfitness July 11, 2015
Interesting. Thank you for the post
ishal23 July 11, 2015
Reblogged this on ishal23.
blastedgoat July 11, 2015
I love finding new reasons to grow exotic and not so exotic plants so this post was fantastic! Nature is amazing and yet many people take it for granted. Glad to see there are others who marvel at the treasures our Earth provides :)
brianwame July 11, 2015
I love that color so much thanks for you skill
ademarco3330 July 12, 2015
These photos are amazing!
mishaljain July 12, 2015
Nice one !!!!
jaouimi July 12, 2015
fantasitic
Lawrence July 12, 2015
Great image composition. Especially the DOF in some images are stellar. Awesome photo essay.
addictedtogreatness July 12, 2015
Reblogged this on addictedtogreatness.
The Gypsy Eye July 12, 2015
Reblogged this on The Gypsy Eye and commented:
A Beautiful narration!!!
Clifford S. Toy July 12, 2015
Amazing photos and experience!
janetberridge July 12, 2015
Great composition in these pictures! Cheers
Ayoo Oyugi July 12, 2015
Reblogged this on the Ayoo's Thinktank and commented:
this is just so amazing and taking into consideration that there are some things that the world hasn’t seen yet.this is a thumps up.
Ayoo Oyugi July 12, 2015
this is just so amazing and taking into consideration that there are some things that the world hasn’t seen yet.this is a thumps up…A very beautiful narration
grosirdijakarta02160200096 July 12, 2015
Great post, follow me & reblog this on https://konveksidijakartaa.wordpress.com/
thegreatimaginationescape July 12, 2015
Reblogged this on thegreatimaginationescape.
scribblerlynn July 12, 2015
Reblogged this on scribblerlynn and commented:
Beautiful!
bluebusjourney July 12, 2015
Amazing x
tishthamaderna July 12, 2015
Such beautiful pictures!
lizziemoto July 12, 2015
A great subject for photography & interesting post.
jodyvford July 12, 2015
Wow you just never think about this… Brilliant
Open Portal Tarot July 12, 2015
This post abounds with earthy creativity — my favorite. Congratulations on finding your way “home” to earth and your creative self after quitting your job.
Caroline Goddard July 13, 2015
Thank you!!
danisgotback July 12, 2015
This is great! I really like the photos.
cally July 12, 2015
thx for sharing, beautiful story
noopur2611 July 12, 2015
To me this was more like how nature can heal us by just revealing itself.. We in our busy schedules do not explore what nature has to give to us but when we do we are amazed.. Lovely break..
Caroline Goddard July 13, 2015
I agree, Noopur2611! So much can come from disconnecting from technology and just observing for a little while.
Patrick Jennings July 12, 2015
Wonderful story.
Exquisite images.
There is a peace here, extraordinary and subtle, deep and light as a whisper.
Thank you.
rebekahdarian93 July 12, 2015
Reblogged this on liveloudliveboldliveproud.
biochemlife July 12, 2015
I will be cross referencing the info here in your article with the knowledge of local tribe members here who have used natural dyes.
bhavi16 July 12, 2015
Pics are extremely good
Britton Bell July 12, 2015
Reblogged this on BRITTY BRITTY BANG BANG.
Yeasha Hassan July 12, 2015
Beautiful pictures!
RaffaelaBrancio July 13, 2015
Interesting
jazelyneg July 13, 2015
Reblogged this on jazelyneg.
Saltlight Post Nigeria July 13, 2015
Reblogged this on Saltlight Post Nigeria.
Kestrel July 13, 2015
I stumbled across your blog in “Freshly Pressed” and I’m so glad I did. What a lovely batch of pictures – it took me a few minutes to figure out what I was looking at and I was delighted when I realized it was dyeing wool. I love “traditional” crafts and ways of doing things. I’ve spent some wonderful minutes here – and look forward to spending more. :)
Caroline Goddard July 13, 2015
Thank you so much for visiting, and for your kind words!
Iona July 13, 2015
Ah it looks incredible! What is the urine used for?
Caroline Goddard July 13, 2015
Thank you Iona,
The urine vat is used to ferment the indigo, which is one plant that needs a little extra preparation in order to impart its pigment, indigotin, onto fabrics. Other plants really just need to be boiled in water, and mordanted with alum or the iron of a few rusty nails added to the pot, simple as that!
Anne Bonney July 13, 2015
This post is absolutely beautiful – the photos and the sentiment.
catladyreads July 13, 2015
beautiful photos and inspirational story. thank you.
murfomurf July 13, 2015
You have reminded me to get back into dyeing stuff. I need it to cheer me up in the Southern Hemisphere winter.
onelifejourney90 July 13, 2015
Reblogged this on onelifejourney90.
patrickjboyle July 13, 2015
The colours of life :)
WordwithMindy July 13, 2015
Beautiful photos- the simplicity in each is very drawing. Thank you for sharing.
Forrest Brakeman July 13, 2015
Wow. These photos are stunning. You have a true gift.
Shona July 13, 2015
Amazing photos
Shona July 13, 2015
Reblogged this on Shona Armstrong.
writingqueen July 13, 2015
Nice
mixhellep July 13, 2015
great pics!
carmen_jimenezv July 13, 2015
Loved the pictures and your inspiring experiences! X
Andrea Barberia July 13, 2015
love
kfwilliams2015 July 14, 2015
Its already been said, but I feel compelled to say that those photographs are gorgeous! Beautiful colours and textures too.
Chaitanya Haram July 14, 2015
Beautiful photos!! :)
jaspershinyravi21 July 14, 2015
such a beautiful experience it was, to read and view your images…. Thank you for sharing it
mandystarharvest July 14, 2015
It is really wonderful life.
nuntharikan July 14, 2015
Reblogged this on nuntharikan.
Rambling Rose July 14, 2015
As Topol /Tevye sang … Tradition … Tradition :) Painstaking but satisfying work …!
Casa Livre Design July 14, 2015
Amazing photos. Capturing the different colors and textures in day a days.
rohitmaiya July 14, 2015
Pictures says it all. Beautifully captured.
Now tell me if human urine is used in all the dyes??
Christine Wasnie July 14, 2015
Ah, the wonders nature provides. Each Colorado seems to resonate at the soul level. Amazing pictures.
Christine Wasnie July 14, 2015
Each color (not Colorado ) resonates at the soul level. Gotta love spell check!
Cynthia Guenther Richardson July 14, 2015
Lovely read and the visuals were wonderful. So glad you enjoyed learning and doing!
bettysbeautifullife July 15, 2015
That is just so great ! Unfortunately I am well to far away geographically to attend this school but I have just booked myself on a similar class in Scotland where I live … Now I can’t wait for August to come :)
Your photographs are beautiful
bettysbeautifullife July 15, 2015
Reblogged this on The Lansdowne House of Stencils and paint finishes and commented:
I love this post from Caroline Goddard in the States.. I have just booked myself on a similar course in Scotland this seems so true compared with the fake way of life I have just been through for the past 14 years … Seems that back to roots is very calming … Her photographs are exquisite !
hemanatchatra July 15, 2015
And Natural colours are good for health as well..
Your photos are good.
certainline July 15, 2015
I discovered this on Freshly Pressed. It’s wonderful to see work like this being done without chemicals. So far as the pee is concerned – little could be cleaner. I’m told the actress, Sarah Miles, used to drink her own (haven’t gone that far myself!). An inspiring post.
Afro Bohemian July 15, 2015
Natural colors and working so close to the earth, love this, so inspiring
couturemuniz July 15, 2015
Reblogged this on esnodan.
thesocialexperimentwecalllife July 15, 2015
lovely!
amanpan July 15, 2015
Beautiful photos and very inspiring. Your article makes you sit back and take notice of the natural things in life.
spiritualdragonfly July 15, 2015
Love the story in photos!!!!!
patriciamkapp July 15, 2015
Inspiring post on many levels, thank you
Typical Tea And Crumpets July 15, 2015
Reblogged this on fictionisbeautyblog.
Deborah July 15, 2015
The photos are lovely. That must have been an interesting workshop!
elizabethweaver July 15, 2015
Reblogged this on phoetryartwrasana and commented:
Love the colors and seemingly forgotten art of plant dyes
Rambling Rose July 15, 2015
So fulfilling to ‘harvest’ naturally our earth’s abundance instead of exploiting and degrading. Great work :)
warhammergo July 15, 2015
Довели пикс
liztress July 16, 2015
Love this. The pictures, the ideas, it’s a very lovely different perspective.
ldenney2014 July 16, 2015
Beautiful, and your photography has a wonderful air of warmth and serenity. I remember as a child in the 70’s (in England) collecting rose petals with my sister, mashing them with water and salt and tie-dyeing T-shirts and cloths. You have inspired me to do more research and find I have a garden and larder full of colour to dye for!
applegiuice July 16, 2015
amazing pics! Compliments! U did them with a reflex? :)
Caroline Goddard July 18, 2015
Hi appleguice! I shot these on my 5d Mark II.
applegiuice July 18, 2015
Ciao!!! :)
^.^”” Me toooo I want it!!! ;) colors are Amazing! I just started now blogging and photography…I put my first pics on my blog…Can u tell me what u think, please? :) I hope to improve soon!!!!
asvachula July 16, 2015
This is absolutely beautiful.
queenamongstmywords July 17, 2015
Your ability to match your pictures with your writing is wonderful.
agesgist July 17, 2015
Reblogged this on agesgist.
susielindau July 17, 2015
I love the progressin of your project. The colors came to life just as they must have during your class. Thanks for sharing!
twoglobetrottingcousins July 18, 2015
Loving the pictures
rubyvaibhav July 18, 2015
Good work
What Simon and Lena did next... July 18, 2015
Beautiful imagery!
alisonbutlermusic July 18, 2015
These photos are beautiful! Thank you for sharing them.
brooksemerson123 July 18, 2015
Wow It must be riley Toth living there
docugraphy July 18, 2015
Beautiful!!! It reminds me of an experience at Dorze country in Ethiopia: https://docugraphy.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/und-weben-and-weaving-dorze-village-guge-mountains-ethiopia/ They´re famous for their colours made of clay from a special lake :-)
Caroline Goddard July 18, 2015
Thank you for sharing! What wonderful photos of your time in Ethiopia!
Rancho das Crônicas! July 18, 2015
It’s beautiful photo’s. I love it. Bye
MyoPaname July 18, 2015
Love all… Great photos, colours, lights for a story ! Beautiful !
conscienceandart July 18, 2015
Reblogged this on CSA and commented:
Nature is the color we forgot
The Gentle Cottage co. July 18, 2015
Reblogged this on The Gentle Cottage Co. and commented:
Nature is the beginning of everything…including fashion. Getting back to the basics adds so much value and substances to a garment.
Geekly Chic July 19, 2015
reblogged this on Geekly Chic
Geekly Chic July 19, 2015
Reblogged this on Geekly Chic and commented:
interesting
tazasi July 19, 2015
Guys I’ve created a blog shedding light on student life and various interesting aspects of it . There is a piece on examinations , social conduct and a scientificly sound studying technique . Please please view it and I promise you will enjoy it. Leave your comments and your feedback is appreciated.
Manuel Angel Torres July 19, 2015
Cool! I enjoyed reading your story. I had a similar experience the day I took a Ceramic class in College. I was hooked and amazed by the process, even I was transformed. Very therapeutic indeed.
Life and Money Hacker July 19, 2015
Awesome post! Thank you for sharif this.
http://www.lifeandmoneyhacks.wordpress.com
wildmanbrittney July 19, 2015
Reblogged this on brittgonewild and commented:
Adding this to my bucket list. As my momma would say, ya learn something new everyday!
wildmanbrittney July 19, 2015
Very interesting. I had no idea! I love the photos as well.
prof_jose_andre July 20, 2015
Reblogged this on profjoseandre.
mkell99 July 20, 2015
Reblogged this on OnlyWordsOnlyFire.
charlottelouiserowles July 20, 2015
Just beautiful
scrollofscribbles July 20, 2015
Beautiful :)
happygirl July 20, 2015
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing :)
dbhattuk July 20, 2015
Awesome, thank you
KATH July 21, 2015
Great shots!
https://kthrnvergara.wordpress.com
Southern Belles and Whistles July 21, 2015
Absolutely stunning how you are able to capture not only the essence of the process but also how you are able to capture the integrity of the subject itself. Absolutely wonderful.
Sarah @ Young Foodie July 21, 2015
Such a lovely post! I thoroughly enjoyed reading :)
http://fromayoungfoodie.wordpress.com
lifestyleclever July 21, 2015
Reblogged this on lifestyleclever.
JustMe July 22, 2015
So Pretty!!
nehakabra July 22, 2015
truly these colors have been forgotten…their beauty is mesmerizing no matter how forgotten they are
originaltitle July 23, 2015
I’ve never had the opportunity to dye fabric or work with textiles like this. The way you’ve captured it is beautiful. It makes me want to work with my hands. Thanks for sharing.
Caroline Goddard July 23, 2015
Thank you, original title! That is the best compliment ever, to have inspired someone to work with their hands!! Happy making. -Caroline
bananapancakeinpetridish July 23, 2015
Love the pictures!
diekleinedingen July 25, 2015
Wauw! Verry Pretty!
XoXowww.diekleinedingen.webpress.com
Maxine Dodd, artist July 26, 2015
Fascinating post with gorgeous photos
fruitsfromthespiritgarden July 26, 2015
Interesting article :)
RaSoul July 27, 2015
Gorgeous!
moonlightinmaine July 30, 2015
You told a beautiful story, not by using words, just by using photos. Well done!
Lisa Hunt-Wotton August 1, 2015
Love this
Projet Aurora August 23, 2015
Beautiful photos and very interesting article!
moonwatcher51 September 15, 2015
Loved the pictures. I could imagine myself there. Thank you!
pocketfullofsurprises September 28, 2015
The pictureswere really interesting.It is really sad how we forgot our natural dyes like Indigo and accepted chemical ones which ahve so many side effcets on the workers producting the. Kudos for spreading the word about natural dyeing.
quirkylvm November 6, 2015
Fabulous