Weld
Reseda luteola
Made with care and unconditionally loved by our customers.
Colour
Yellow
Fibre
Wool, silk, cotton
Lightfastness
High
Origin
Weld grows widely across Europe and parts of Asia. The whole plant is used, harvested just as the flowers begin to open in early summer
Colour behaviour
- Bright yellow with alum mordant
- Shifts to olive or khaki with iron
- Excellent for overdyeing with indigo
Process notes
Easy to extract using a hot water method. Requires mordanting for best results on protein and cellulose fibres.
History
One of the earliest known dye plants in Europe. Used in medieval textiles and tapestries, and recorded in 12th century dye manuals.
Notes from the atelier
Weld is generous. It gives strong, clean yellows and plays beautifully with indigo. I love how it shifts through the seasons. Spring harvest gives sfoter tones, mid-summer is more vivid.