There is a particular magic to dyeing in a perpetual dyepot, as every bundle that passes through it leaves traces of itself behind; not just from the leaves contained within it, but also from whatever it was wrapped around (sticks, stones, metals) and from whatever treatments have been applied to the surface (no mordant is ever completely stable, and minute particles will be released into the dyebath from areas not in direct contact with leaves).

In this short course I will tell you my way of setting up a dyebath for a long and happy life, how I maintain it and a simple and safe way of storing it for future use. I have to reduce mine in summer so that I can use it indoors, but if I am going to be away for a few weeks, I need to make sure that it won't grow a new kind of Legionnaire's disease and put it away safely.

I also talk about the different kinds of dye baths we can set up and how to choose the kind of vessel most appropriate for you needs, but first let's begin with a little unbundling...