Handspun, Naturally-Dyed Silk Thread by Moisés Martínez Velasco y Gladys Garcia Flores

When researching in Oaxaca for their new book, Journeys in Natural Dyeing, one cool morning Adrienne and Kristine took a drive into the mountains with Demetrio Bautista Lazo of La Cúpula Rug Gallery to visit the studio of Moisés Martínez Velasco y Gladys Garcia Flores.

Moisés and Gladys raise silk worms. Gladys spindle-spins the silk cocoons into fine thread. Moisés dyes the threads with natural dyes and weaves them on a backstrap loom into shawls (rebozos) and tunics (huipiles).

For the release of Journeys in Natural Dyeing, Moisés and Gladys created a vibrant palette of their naturally-dyed silk threads for you to use in your own embroideries and weavings. The threads are incredibly vibrant and luminous. 

Each palette of threads consists of four colors and includes the following dyes: cochineal, pericón, and indigo. Through shifts in pH and combining dyes, Moisés creates the incredible array of color shown here. We imagine these threads as fields of embroidered flowers sprinkled across shirts and wall-hangings.

Each palette contains four colors. Each color contains 12 strands measuring 48", for a total of 16 yards per color, and 64 yards per palette.

You can read more about Moisés and Gladys and see more photos in Journeys in Natural Dyeing. 

We regret to inform you that discounts may not be applied to these items.

When working with fabric, thread, and fiber dyed with indigo, it is common and natural for the blue dye to rub off on one’s hands while sewing. This is called crocking. Although the goods have been washed, it takes pressured contact to release the extra indigo dye. Your handwork is part of the indigo dyeing process. The blue dye can be removed with hot water and soap. From working closely with indigo dyed materials through the making process, typically, the excess dye has been removed, and the crocking will cease.

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Please note the fiber content of the material you are working with, and follow the applicable instructions: 

Cotton or linen - Machine washable on cool cycle with pH neutral soap. Lay flat to dry.

Superwash Wool - Machine washable on cool cycle with pH neutral soap, though hand wash recommended. Lay flat to dry.

Wool and Wool blends - Handwash only in lukewarm water with pH neutral soap. Lay flat to dry.

This item is a final sale. Once purchased, there are no cancellations, exchanges, store credits, or returns. 

If you would like to add-to-order, please click here to review the instructions. We cannot refund shipping charges.

If you would like to apply a discount code, please click here to review the instructions. We cannot refund discounts.

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Curbside Pick-Up
To pick up your order at our shop, when checking out, under shipping method, choose Pick up at our Oakland store - 6328 San Pablo Ave.

You will receive an email when your order is ready. Orders placed Tuesday-Saturday are typically ready within 24 hours. To pick up your order, come to the shop between 11am - 3pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Knock on the front door and give us your name. 

Pre-orders
Pre-orders will ship on the date listed on the product’s webpage. If you ordered additional items, all items will be shipped with your pre-order. If you would like those items shipped separately, please place two separate orders.