Dyeing Naturally, Emma Kylmälä

Dyeing Naturally is an atmospheric and practical guide that brings plant-based colour back into the forefront of creative craft. Emma Kylmälä leads the reader through the full spectrum of natural dyeing: choosing, growing or foraging plants; preparing mordants; extracting intense and stable pigments; and using them to colour yarns, textiles, papers, and inks. It strikes a balance between technical rigour and artistic sensibility—bringing a seasonal rhythm and ecological awareness to the dye pot.

Filled with rich photography, botanical detail, and step-by-step processes, the book doesn’t only teach how to mix colours—it encourages you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and see the beauty in variations and impermanence. Whether you’re a fibre artist, a maker of home textiles, or simply curious about reclaiming colour from nature, this volume brings both inspiration and usable technique.

About the Author
Emma Kylmälä is a Finnish natural dyer, artist and educator whose work interweaves botanical knowledge, design aesthetics and sustainable practice. With roots in both urban gardens and rural landscapes, her approach to colour is deeply anchored in place, material, and season. She has a practice of experimentation and intention, often foraging, growing her own dye plants, and celebrating the subtle textures that emerge in natural processes.

Publication date: 2025
Publisher: Cozy Publishing
ISBN: 9789527547335