Date: November 20, 2008 at 12 noon

Speaker: Penny Le Couteur

Title: The Evolution of Colour: How Dye Molecules Changed the World

Description: Did you know that the dye alizarin (Turkey Red) was probably responsible for Alexander the Great’s 320 B.C. defeat of the Persian Army, that a German dye company (Bayer) was the first to recognize the possibility of commercial pharmaceuticals and that the rare and expensive Tyrian Purple dye is chemically very, very similar to the widespread and widely used
dye, indigo? This presentation discusses the surprising influences of natural and synthetic dyes on our culture, our history and our lives as seen through the eyes of a chemist.

A Perfect Red – Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire

By Amy Butler Greenfield
Harper Collins Publishers, 2005

The desire for a rich red permanent dye and pigment was a major factor in exploring and establishing global trade routes in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. Early Spanish explorers found that the Aztecs, in what is now Mexico, had the perfect red that had not been seen elsewhere up to that time. The cochineal dye came from the dried bodies of a female scale insect, Dactylopius coccus, which was parasitic on the Opunta prickly pear cacti. At that time the insects came from just one particular valley. The insects and cacti were grown on cacti farms or nopalry for the sole purpose of harvesting the insects for the dye.

Greenfield relays the fascinating account of the cochineal dye’s discovery by the Spanish and their attempt to capture and maintain the sale and distribution of it. She not only describes the origin of the dye and its history throughout the centuries, but she also describes its impact on fashion up to the present day.

Greenfield researched the history of the cochineal dye in great detail, so the book is very well documented. Her writing style is excellent, which makes this book a pleasurable read for anyone interested in the history and impact of this natural dye.

The eleventh annual spinning retreat was held at Fenn Lodge April 4 – 6. Fenn Lodge is a beautiful 1908 heritage home on Hemlock Valley between Mission and Harrison Hot Springs. 15 members plus our host Diane Brady, enjoyed the wonderful surroundings, the gourmet food and the fibre activities. Additional people came for the day on Saturday. We had Fibres Plus selling fibres and fibre related equipment, door prizes and a fun gift exchange. The retreaters spun wool and tales as wheels spun and people chatted.

The dyeing activity this year was inspired by an article in the Fall 2006 Spin Off by Nancy Roberts. Janice and Ruth Griffiths brought three knitting machines. Everyone who wanted, took a turn at knitting a 3 or 4 foot long piece of fabric. We then painted the knit fabric strips with acid dyes and steam set them. This produces graduated colour changes over a long length of yarn instead of the mottled effect you get buy spinkle dying or painting skeins of yarn. Janice brought a finished product in this technique to the March meeting show and tell. Donna Campbell showed her yarn dyed in this technique at the same show and tell.

It will be interesting to see what people make out of their yarn done in this technique. A few kept coming back to the knitting machines and knitting more fabric. Diane Brady sprinkle dyed one of her fabrics and felted it in her washing machin.She also made a felted purse that weekend out of more knitted fabric.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Susan Millikan and my sister Ruth who helped me organize the retreat. Susan made name tags for everyone that were made of handspun yarn woven on a “weavette” loom that Susan made herself. Each name tag had a little drop spindle on it, which she also made on her lathe. Additionally, she embroidered everyone’s name on the tags. This year Susan and I organized the retreat, giving Linda Kunster a much deserved rest after leading the retreats for the previous 10 years. I would also like to thank Maria Lunow and her sister who donated spinning and weaving mugs that her sister hand made, to all the participants.

I hope to see everyone at Fenn Lodge again next year.

Janice Griffiths