A botany of dye and thread
- Babs revives traditional, natural dyeing techniques with local plants
- Her Bristol Cloth project involves fully traceable, regenerative British textiles
- In her craft, she combines ecology and cultural heritage
Babs Behan works with natural dyes, local fibres and regenerative systems to create textiles that are both materially and culturally in line with the environment and territory. "My practice is intuitive, soil-to-soil and rooted in a desire to revive lost knowledge. I am guided by what grows around me," Babs says. From immersive travels studying dye traditions across continents to fabric production, her pieces quietly counter overconsumption, toxicity and disconnection. In 2023, Babs published her own book on dyeing, titled Botanical Dyes. Her studio in rural Devon is a site of alchemy and ecology, a space where craft becomes a means of restoring, remembering and reimagining our relationship with the land.
Interview
- What led you to natural dyes?
- What sparked it all was a period of study in Jaipur, where I watched natural dyes be applied by hand in a peaceful workshop. It was very different from mass productions that use toxic substances. I travelled, studied dyeing traditions across continents and came home wondering why this practice does not exist in England.
- Does territory play a role in your creative process?
- I am guided by what grows around me. Even plants in hedgerows have long histories and hold meaning. Each landscape carries different plants, fibres, tools and stories. My work is deeply rooted and intuitive, and working with these elements creates a sense of belonging.
- How did you come up with the Bristol Cloth project?
- I wanted a fabric grown and made entirely in England. Using regenerative wool, natural dyes and a local mill, I was able to make a cloth that is fully circular. It received amazing press and was featured on the BBC, FT and Countryfile. In 2025, I have launched the third edition of the Bristol Cloth, made with locally harvested wild dyes from Dartmoor, including oak, hawthorn, alder and bramble.
- What does your practice look like today?
- I host immersive retreats in Dartmoor, work on commissions, consult for brands and dye capsule collections. I also share my knowledge with students. I am moving towards spending more time making and less time on digital screens. I still love drawing and painting, and one day, they will find their way back to my work.
Babs Behan is a master artisan: she began her career in 2014 and she started teaching in 2014
