Helen Melvin is a textile artist, natural dyer and ink maker. She explains: “Natural dyeing while rooted in the past has much for the modern textile artist, both because of the richness and subtlety of natural dyes as well the possibility of less impact on the environment.” In this time of increased fuel costs, Helen’s methods of dyeing have minimised the use of heat by solar dyeing and using water baths. Helen will also talk about her love of ink making which was borne out of her learning to make paints. Sourcing locally grown dyes, the use of plant mordants and lightfastness are all areas of interest for Helen, as is a love of doodling with the crochet hook and the pen.
Helen Melvin teaches Natural Dyeing and is guest tutor for our Natural Dye Study Group