Plants, Dyes and Fibres
At flora & farbe I, Elke, am a dyer, workshop leader + lecturer, gardener and much more ✿
What you'll find here: various workshops on dyeing with plants, mainly, but not only, in Berlin; guided dye plant tours; an online workshop, e-books (in German) and dyeing kits to try out at home; my plant dye seed set to start a dye garden - and from time to time also plant-dyed textiles in limited editions.
How I got here: I like to work with my hands, and preferably with the plants that surround me. My enthusiasm for textiles and making things myself led me to study fashion design at the Berlin-Weißensee School of Art in 2007 - where I stumbled into natural dyeing and found the freedom to explore. And thus discovered something that unites all my passions!
Getting to know plants, noticing the seasons and realizing that we are part of nature, even in the city - that's what motivates me the most.
That's why I mainly dye with plants that also grow here - wild flora from forests and meadows, and historical dye plants that I now also grow myself, on a very small scale in my allotment.
In my studio I dye fabrics, garments, fine yarns or chunky rug wool, for my own makes and for collaborations: I have worked with small labels, Tisca Rugs and the German Archaeological Institute (DAI).
I have been giving Workshops on natural dyeing since 2016 - for groups, teams and individuals, at Greenpeace #makesmthng or for Wissenschaft im Dialog and also at the Kunsthochschule Berlin Weißensee and the Akademie Mode & Design AMD. Initially under the name 'still garments' - the name originates from the time when I was still planning to work on collections With the focus shifting to workshops and dyeing, it was then time for 'flora & farbe' (translating to flora and color, a word play on flora & fauna).
In 2020, I trained as a plant guide with Wildwärts. And since 2021 I have also been offering foraging tours focused on dye plants. Find all current dates here in one place.
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Send a mail, if you would like to book a customized workshop. Or would you like to have small editions dyed with plants? Clothing, cords or knitting yarn, I look forward to exciting collaborations!
Dyeing with plants requires a bit of patience and time – which can create a space for quiet and contemplation. I love to share this space in my workshops. Both online and in my studio, I want to allow for conversations around plants and craft and am very grateful for all the perspectives workshop participants have shared.
If you'd like to read more about my work and my background, find two articles at BTTR Stories Or visit my studio together with rbb Abendschau (video available until 3. Juni 2024).