Our dyeing process begins long before the fabric is ever soaked. It starts in the soil.

We are incredibly proud to partner directly with local farmers in our village to source our natural dye materials. By supporting our community to plant, cultivate, and responsibly forage raw materials, we ensure a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both the environment and the local economy.

When you hold a piece of Mae Ing Shibori fabric, you are holding the hard work of our local agricultural community. This partnership allows us to:

• Provide Fair Livelihoods: We create a reliable, alternative income stream for village farmers.

• Preserve Local Knowledge: We encourage the cultivation of native dye plants and the passing down of traditional agricultural wisdom.

• Protect the Environment: By relying on organic farming and mindful foraging, we keep harmful synthetic chemicals out of our soil and waterways.

The farmers in our village grow and collect a diverse range of botanicals that form the foundation of the Mae Ing Shibori color palette. Here are a few of the natural materials that give our fabrics their unique life and character:

• Indigo (Hom): Grown locally, the leaves of the indigo plant are fermented to create our signature, deep, mesmerizing blues.

• Marigold Flowers: Cultivated in village gardens, these bright blooms yield stunning shades of yellow, gold, and warm mustard.

• Ebony Berries (Maklua): Carefully collected from local trees, these berries produce rich, grounding grays and earthy blacks.

• Sappanwood (Fang): The heartwood of the Sappan tree is harvested sustainably to extract brilliant pinks, reds, and purples.

• Mango Leaves & Bark: Foraged from village orchards, these materials provide beautiful, soft greens and earthy yellows.

• Lac (Laccifer lacca): A tiny insect, is a species of scale insect. It secretes tubes of resin known as lac onto the branches of trees.