How to Make Rhubarb Bolero with Bella Gonshorovitz

Bella Gonshorovitz is an idiosyncratic creative practitioner whose interests lie in the seams between fashion and nature, art, culture and human behaviour with a strong sustainability focus. She trained originally as a fashion designer and a creative pattern cutter, before studying for a Masters in Applied Psychology in Fashion.

Bella started tending her allotment plot in 2018, alongside working on a large-scale fabric collaboration with artist Cathie Pilkington, RA. Creating a unique palette of hand-dyed fabric for the project, she started experimenting with natural dye, connecting the dots between her love of nature and making: gardening, vegan cooking, textiles and garment making.

Bella is the author of Grow, Cook, Dye, Wear – From seed to style the sustainable way, where she explains how to grow, cook, dye and wear rhubarb. "I didn’t grow up with rhubarb. In fact, my inaugural rhubarb, part of a mixed-fruit crumble, was like nothing I’d experienced before: bold and tart and celery-like in texture and appearance, except in the most heart-rending shade of pink. I have been fascinated with rhubarb ever since. My enchantment grew when I started dyeing, for rhubarb is one of the most hardworking plants in the natural dyer’s garden."

While natural dyeing uses natural materials to create colors to stain or dye textiles there are still some necessary precautions for health and safety.

• Work in a ventilated area
• Wear protective gear: mask, gloves…
• Use separate equipment for eating and dyeing
• Be prepared for each step
• Caution around heat sources
• Wash hands
• Oxalic acid vapor is harmful if inhaled so please do follow health and safety guidelines.

Free downloadable instructions are available.