Silk thread: Lichen Green

Mulberry silk embroidery thread (16/2), length 12 meters, hand-dyed individually in the process of my researching historical dyes. All these colours come from classic natural dyes such as indigo, weld, lac, sappanwood, safflower, madder and combinations thereof.

The silk has a lovely, noticeable sheen. I did my best to make the photos show colours accurately, but they may look different on your own screen. Some of the colours are uneven and complex, especially when overdyed.

Natural colours are not necessarily short-lived, but they do require mindful care:

• Do not expose to direct sunlight for prolonged periods. If the embroidery is intended to be hung, aim for a wall that doesn’t get brightly lit (or aternatively, enjoy them for as long as they last and don’t worry about it).
• Not all, but many of these colours are pH-sensitive, meaning they will be modified by acidity or alkalinity. If used on clothes that need washing, I recommend hand-washing with a very mild soap (soap is slightly alkaline).