Dye Lab Assistant

In 2023, the ATW welcomed Heather Thomas to our Dye Lab, supporting our Master Dyer.

Heather has a natural dye studio at home where she works and teaches about natural fibres and hand dyeing with colours sourced from nature. Over the years, she has enjoyed the research and experimentation involved when collaborating with the artists and designers trying to create unique natural colours from plants for their projects. She recently travelled to Japan with the support of a Churchill Fellowship visiting bespoke natural dye houses and understanding the roles they play in communities.

"I have been hand dyeing yarns and fabrics with natural dyes from my home dye studio for many years. This practical experience has been so helpful in my new role assisting master dyer Tony at the ATW. Working in the Dye Laboratory, I am learning how to accurately dye wool specific colours with specialized Dye Laboratory equipment. It is rewarding to see how the weavers use and blend the many shades of colours I am learning to create, and a delight to be learning more about colour with the whole team at the ATW. "