Colours of.....by The Mulberry Dyer

These threads are hand-dyed using natural dyes after years years of research by The Mulberry Dyer, Debbie Bamford. She has put together selections of colours typical of and authentic to various time periods. Not only are they based on exhaustive research but they are the product of her immense knowledge of natural dyeing. Invaluable for anyone wanting to use authentic period colours for embroidery, tablet weaving, lucet or other braid-work or any other fine work that has passed me by. A treat for the history buff or embrioderer alike. We are exceptionally proud to be the only stockist of her beautiful threads.

The Colours of 500BC to 500AD (Pre to Post Roman) is naturally dyed British Wensleydale wool and contains 5 colours using alkanet, madder, woad, weld and woad and weld. Each has an approximate length of 10 metres.

The Colours of 1250 to 1500 (Medieval Period) is naturally dyed British Wensleydale wool and contains 5 colours using brazilwood, dyer's broom, woad, dyer's broom and woad and brazilwood and woad. Each has an approximate length of 10 metres.

The Colours of 1500-1750 (Tudor/Renaissance period) is naturally dyed British Wensleydale wool and contains 5 colours using cochineal, fustic, logwood, indigo and fustic and indigo. Each has an approximate length of 10 metres.

The Colours of the Bayeux Tapestry (second half 11th century) contains 14 naturally dyed leas of 2/24s merino wool. Originally made with seven colours the Bayeux embriodery has repairs and has been re-worked. This has added three colours. The threads are dyed using only madder, weld and woad with alum and iron. These colours are Debbie's interpretation of the colours in the tapestry based on her extensive knowledge of historical dyes and methods.

The Colours of the Bayeux Tapestry are now available as singles from us. Naturally dyed on wool using the same techniques as in the 12th century these have approximately 50 metres running length and are 2/24 wool.