CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Feeling Blue - A Free Festival Of Natural Dyes And Fibres

Feeling Blue is an exhibition about Natural dyes and Sustainable fibres curated by textile artist and natural dyer Elisabeth Viguie Culshaw in the Glasgow Botanical garden's Kibble Palace.

Feeling Blue - A Free Festival Of Natural Dyes And Fibres

About Feeling Blue - A Free Festival Of Natural Dyes And Fibres

In the middle of the Covid Pandemic, I started to grow Japanese Indigo in the Glasgow Botanical garden, two beds, 1000 seeds to see if I could make the blue dye in the center of Urban Glasgow.

It worked… two years later “Feeling Blue” 2023 the exhibition came live in the glorious Kibble palace of the Glasgow Botanical garden. A local festival of fiber and colour organised by Elisabeth Viguie Culshaw textile artist and Indigo grower in Urban Glasgow. During two full days some glorious pieces of Indigo dyed fabric are exhibited together with some items lent by dyers. Some slow textile techniques are demonstrated by volunteers and we rub Fresh Indigo leaves onto small section of silk. On Sunday Rosie Bristow, demonstrates how to transform Flax into Linen yarn and all of this comes together in a desire to share with the local community a free of cost small festival.

Grateful for The Glasgow Botanical garden for sharing the space to grow and the space to exhibit, to the Glasgow Doors Open days to share the information, to many volunteers to share time… and to you glorious visitors to come in to enjoy.

This year we will be :

Opened from 11 to 4pm both days.
Be free of charge but a donation towards the garden upkeep would be appreciated.
Demonstrate Indigo vat Shibori on the Saturday together with some spinning of wool
Demonstrate Flax processing and Fresh leaves Indigo rubbing (need to book a space) on the sunday.
During the week end we will dye some scottish wool fleece with natural dyes from the garden towards the making of a banner for FIBRESHED SCOTLAND a conservation organisation we are a member of.
Laura will make a Woad vat with the Woad from the garden… and more.
Exhibit some Indigo dyed pieces work of local dyers and the artist Elisabeth Viguie Culshaw including pieces dyed using different forms of Indigo from around the world.
Visit the dye garden on Sunday afternoon as part of Glasgow Doors Open days (book a free space soon).
Do some fresh leaves dyeing to sponsor the garden planting next year by booking a space below… (Pre-bookings only see below )
Sell seeds of Woad plants for you to grow at home
We cant wait to see you there…

And if you want to yourself try your hand at growing Japanese Indigo … read my blog here and make sure you book a course at my next year 6 months online class :

Feeling Blue is a yearly exhibition

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
Glasgow Blythswood Festival
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Enjoy East Ren
Fayre Play
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Children's Classic Concerts

Other Events at Glasgow Botanic Gardens or The Lansdowne House

Books at the Botanics

Selected dates between 21st February 2026 - 13th December 2026

Glasgow's Book Fair, Books at the Botanics, is held every month in the Hopkirk building at Glasgow's Botanic Gardens!

READ MORE

Glasgow Botanic Gardens Orchid Fair

9th May 2026 - 10th May 2026

Scotland's only annual orchid show and fair returns to Glasgow for its 27th year, promising a botanical feast for the senses and a unique opportunity to buy these wonderful plants to grow at home!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Big Kid Circus
Edinburgh Tartan Parade
Glasgow Music City Tours
One Ren
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
ATG
Class Bento

Similar events you might like...

Strathbungo Window Wanderland

Strathbungo Window Wanderland

7th March 2026
Glasgow South Side

Returning on Saturday 7th March, the annual Strathbungo Window Wanderland will transform Strathbungo into a spectacular outdoor gallery for all to enjoy!

READ MORE
International Women’s Day Exhibition

International Women’s Day Exhibition

7th March 2026

Celebrate International Women's day 2026 with this exhibition launch and opening party, featuring the work of 38 artists, at Burns Street Studios!

READ MORE
POWER Comic Con Glasgow

POWER Comic Con Glasgow

7th March 2026 - 8th March 2026

POWER Comic Con returns to Hall 3 at the Glasgow's SEC Centre for a fan-filled weekend this Spring! Come along and meet very special guests from the worlds of gaming, tv and comics.

READ MORE
Exhibition: Paul Kennedy and Tommy Fitchet

Exhibition: Paul Kennedy and Tommy Fitchet

7th March 2026 - 29th March 2026

Join Annan Gallery for their two-person exhibition featuring the striking paintings of Paul Kennedy and Tommy Fitchet.

READ MORE
Artist Pop Up: Be More Gus

Artist Pop Up: Be More Gus

8th March 2026

Pop down to Bird & Blend on Byres Road on Sunday 8th March, for a lovely pop-up featuring Emily Brooks Millar's latest art, zines and pins... dogs are very welcome too!

READ MORE
Model Rail Scotland

Model Rail Scotland

27th March 2026 - 29th March 2026

Model Rail Scotland is the biggest model railway show held in Scotland and is a must for every railway enthusiast, don't miss it at the SEC Glasgow between the 27th and 29th March!

READ MORE
Night: International Photography Exhibition

Night: International Photography Exhibition

2nd April 2026 - 30th April 2026

For the month of April the Glasgow Gallery of Photography is showcasing the work of photographers from the UK and Internationally in an exhibition with the theme Night.

READ MORE
Texture: International Photography Exhibition

Texture: International Photography Exhibition

2nd April 2026 - 30th April 2026

For the month of April the Glasgow Gallery of Photography is showcasing the work of photographers from the UK and Internationally in an exhibition with the theme Texture.

READ MORE
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Super Sundays

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Super Sundays

Selected dates between 12th April 2026 - 2nd August 2026

The Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust opens its Bridgeton Bus Garage to the public for their Super Sunday events throughout the year!

READ MORE

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
Glasgow Blythswood Festival
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Enjoy East Ren
Fayre Play
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Children's Classic Concerts
Big Kid Circus
Edinburgh Tartan Parade
Glasgow Music City Tours
One Ren
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
ATG
Class Bento

Popular Events

Rottenrow-Ra Musical
Set to a soundtrack of big songs and occasional lullaby Rottenrow-Ra Musical is a hilarious and poignant musical comedy that will have you rolling in the aisles!
John Waters Live!!!
John Waters is back on the road with a whole new radical comedy revival show whose sermon will beg the authorities to drop a net on both himself and his rabidly insane audience!
Clydeside Easter Funland
Clydeside Easter Funland is coming to Glasgow's West End this Easter, expect a brand new family-first Easter experience packed with rides, inflatables and live entertainment!
A Play, A Pie and A Pint Spring Season
With wonderful musicals, hilarious comedies and revealing dramas, there is something for everyone to tuck into at A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Oran Mor Glasgow - alongside pies and pints of course!
Kristin Key: Ca-Caw Tour
Hilarious American musical comedian Kristin Key is bringing her Ca-Caw Tour to The Stand Glasgow on Saturday 27th June!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro