About Us
Blue Dog Natural Dye House was born out of a love of color, yarn, and a rescue dog named Winston who insisted on being included in the dye process (and served as our model for naturally-dyed bandanas and t-shirts). Dana is the creative force behind Blue Dog. We work out of our Providence, Rhode Island studio.
The Blue Dog: Winston
Winston was our beloved rescued Old English Bulldog/Pitbull mix. Always underfoot as we worked with indigo, Blue Dog became the obvious name for our operations. It's a good thing indigo is all natural.
We often referred to him as our CEO, but really he was our biggest supporter. He passed in 2025, but his enthusiasm for adventure continues to inspire us.
FAQs
WHAT ARE NATURAL/BOTANICAL DYES?
Natural dyes include dyes from nature, such as botanicals (flowers, leaves, nuts, and trees) and bugs (like cochineal) that, when combined with ingredients (many of which you can find in your grocery store) can be used to coax beautiful colors onto fiber. The amazing thing about natural dyes? Every single color blends together.
Why use natural dyes instead of synthetic dyes?
Using natural dyes enables me to dye in the most environmentally-friendly way possible, while using products from my garden, nearby farms, and sustainability-focused companies. My own dye garden includes indigo, cosmos, coreopsis, marigolds, red hopi amaranth, dahlias, weld, madder root, black eyed-susans, and roses.
Natural dying has a long and rich history, and I find that the colors I get from natural dyes are unique from synthetic dyes in terms of the colors and in ways I can heighten or tone down the vibrancy. All dyes are colorfast, which means they fade in the sun. So naturally-dyed fabrics, just like synthetically-dyed fabrics, can fade in the sun to varying degrees. However, I try to use natural dyes that have proven to be colorfast and lightfast, as well as up to multiple washes. (See washing instructions.) I stay away from the more experimental dye stuffs that may not last as long.
How should I care for naturally-dyed fabrics?
Each Blue Dog Dye comes with a care instructions card. To keep your Blue Dog Dye for years to come:
- Hand-wash in room temperature water (not too hot, not too cold) with a pH-neutral and gentle detergent, like Eucalan or Ecos. Regular detergent can be very harsh and will cause the dye to fade.
- Line dry, and iron if needed.
- Keep your Dye out of the sun to avoid color fading over time.
All products are pre-washed and ironed prior to purchase.
Please note that indigo-dyed yarn and fabric can make your skin temporarily blue due to the friction of wearing or working with it. (Think about your jeans if they are indigo-dyed and how they may run in the first few washes or turn your legs semi-blue!) This is totally normal and it comes off with soap and water. It is by no means permanent!
How did you get into natural dyeing?
As a longtime knitter, I started taking dyeing classes during the Covid pandemic, and I found dyeing my own yarn exactly the color that I wanted it to be incredibly satisfying. In a few months, I made dyeing a new hobby that started taking up my evenings and weekends. As I built my first dye garden, I fell in love with natural dyes, and there was no going back.
WHY IS MY ORDER TAX-FREE?
The State of Rhode Island has granted an artistic tax exemption on all products that we sell when you order directly through Blue Dog Natural Dye House.
WHY IS SHIPPING ONLY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES?
Due to our small inventory and as a small business just getting started, we have limited our direct shipping to within the United States for now. We will be looking into shipping outside of the United States as we continue to grow. If you are interested in purchasing our products and live outside of the United States, please let us know through the Contact Us form on our website!
Do you take special orders?
Yes! If you have a pair of jeans that you'd like to re-dip in indigo or an old shirt or scarf that deserves a new life, I am happy to help you. See Request a Custom Dye in our website navigation.
Why upcycle?
As consumers, we're not always aware of the damage we're doing to the environment in buying that 20th pair of jeans or throwing out old clothes. At least, I didn't, until I started reading up on it. Everyone has a role to play in sustainability, and this is my small way of contributing.