About this project

My project is named Noon Design Studio. As far as I know, Noon Design Studio is the only production natural dye house in the US. I am able to naturally dye on a large scale because of my industrial dye machine, which is basically a high quality industrial washing machine that I’ve specifically programmed to use with natural dyes. I am raising money through kickstarter.com to pay off the balance of this amazing machine so I can continue to naturally dye textiles for designers, artists and my own projects. Using natural dye is an incredible and ancient tradition that I’ve modernized with this machine. This is my opportunity to make naturally dyed textiles an accessible choice for everyone.

The industrial dye machine allows me to dye many yards of fabric at one time, as opposed to dying in a small pot on the stove. Each dye requires a specific temperature of water held for a specific period of time, which I can program exactly with the machine. This has allowed me to work with apparel and home-furnishing designers who need naturally dyed fabrics or pieces for their productions lines, including dresses, shirts, baby clothing, bags and computer cases. I also work with individuals to dye personal items such as duvet covers, tee shirts and pillow covers.

I love natural dye because of its beauty; it has a luminosity and presence of hand that cannot be reproduced with chemical dyes. I also love it for its sustainability with the earth and its connection to thousands of years of history.

One of the most amazing things about natural dye is where it comes from. It can come from wood, fruit, roots, flowers and even insects. Every color of the rainbow can be produced. One of my favorite dies come from the exoskeleton of a little bug living exclusively on the beaver tail cactus in Oaxaca, Mexico. The shells are harvested and traditionally mixed with lime juice to create a vibrant hot pink or red dye.

Natural dye has a long and rich history stemming from almost every culture. It is important because it utilizes naturally occurring materials to create color without the use of chemicals or salt. A naturally dyed organic textile is non-toxic and safe for everyone. At the end of its life, it can biodegrade back into the soil without hurting the earth.

Almost any natural textile can be dyed naturally, so why shouldn’t it be?

*Shibori= an ancient Japanese method of creating pattern through stitching and folding cloth.

Please check out my homepage and other stories here:

www.noondesignstudio.com
www.noonstyle.com

Project location: Chicago, IL

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Project By

jane palmer

Chicago, IL

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Became obsessed with textiles as a youngster

Received not only one, but yes, two degrees in textiles

Started Noon Solar with my friend, which is a business that integrates flexible solar panels into bags to charge up cell phones and iPods

Started naturally dying fabrics for Noon Solar because we couldn't find them anywhere else

Started Noon Design Studio with same friend, in order to naturally dye fabrics for other designers, artists and generally rad people who also love them

And am now taking on Noon Design Studio as a personal and solo project because I love it.

And that, my friends, is what is called full circle, or in my amazing world of eco-textiles, a closed-loop cycle.

Thanks for all the support, I am so grateful to be given a chance to do what I love to do!

1. noondesignstudio.com
2. noonsolar.com