Without any context, the Sewing Seeds benefit was like attending a plant science fair in a Tibetan brick monastery. Tables lined the cozy room with mounds of powdered natural dyes, extracts, fruits and nuts displayed neatly above a square of their dyed fabric color. Naturally dyed fabrics draped from the ceiling mixed with reflective spiral sculptures dispersing flickers of light below.

Cat Lauigan of Cave Collective debuted a collaborative piece of dripping heart-like icicles, containing natural dyes, fashioned into necklaces strung around the necks of selected participants. The melting gems created unique patterns on the white garments made by sustainable womenswear label, Study NY. I was completely entranced by the pendants’ magical qualities as the dye worked abstract patterns onto the cloth, shaped by the participant’s body.

The Textile Arts Center, located in Park Slope, NYC, has been the backbone for promoting a wide range of eco-friendly designers and projects. Sewing Seeds is one of those projects, a rare combination of natural dye plant enthusiasts and the vision to transform an abandoned lot into a full-fledged natural dye garden. Sewing Seeds, a recently sponsored East Coast CSA, has begun its second growing season. Eager to develop their project further, they are offering a garden residency to any artist interested in combining natural dye elements with the intentions for educating the public in relation to their work. The residency deadline is May 15th. (Sign up here.) Time to figure out how you would like to dye, naturally, of course.Photos from the Sewing Seeds benefit at the Textiles Art Center space in Manhattan on April 26th. Photographed by Cameron McLeod.

A few tips and recipes from Sewing Seeds to get your dying started, as well as some edible ones.

Cave Collective: www.cavecollective.com
Textiles Art Center: www.textileartscenter.com