Botanical printing is a technique that involves processing colour from plant materials, such as onion skins, eucalyptus leaves, marigold petals - it is a natural dyeing technique that can involve first dyeing a fabric using natural materials, and then making prints by arranging leaves, petals and pigments, rolling it into a spiral and using heat in the form of steam to set the colours. It is also sometimes referred to as eco-printing or bundle-dyeing

All scarves (in dye kits, and the printed scarves for sale) have been sourced from a single shop in Karachi, Pakistan, that I have been visiting for years

Botanical printing is a slow process. It involves gently washing the silk, mordanting it 1-2 times using different materials, dyeing it, then printing using pigments, petals and leaves. Sometime it also involves “charging” leaves with dye. Each step takes several hours to perform, and needs to set overnight. One scarf needs 3-4 days to be ready. The pricing factors in the cost of materials and my labour.

I have personally hand-dyed each scarf, including sourcing the dye materials (by collecting/foraging/saving or responsible buying materials like cochineal beetles)

I recommend washing your scarf separately, by hand, in cold water, using gentle soap. Then air dry away from direct sunlight. The colours will run the first few times you wash it, this is normal for naturally dyed fibres. The colours will gently fade over time, but this is part of the charm of owning a unique naturally dyed item

The short answer is - no. I have photographed these scarves outdoors on a sunny winter day and the colours will look different in different lights (indoor versus outdoor) and also depending on your monitor/phone screen settings.

These dye kits are suitable for complete beginners and experienced crafters alike. They come with details instructions and you will come away with the confidence to continue experimenting - even if you have never done this before