ABOUT US
Dreaming In Natural Color
Prairie Fire Dyes was founded in 2026 by the fiber artist, teacher, and natural color enthusiast Sean Tyler. Sean started dyeing in 2020, and after years of research natural dyes became central to her art practice. Fittingly, Prairie Fire’s first product was naturally dyed embroidery floss.
Everything in our shop is 100% dyed by hand using all natural materials. Everything we dye is a natural fiber; we use wool, cotton, hemp, and silk to achieve our vibrant shades. We prioritize sustainability so we grow as many colors as possible in our dye garden. We use organic gardening methods and focus on heirloom and native plant species.
We strive to avoid toxic chemicals, water pollution, and overproduction. We want to create beauty that works with nature instead of against it. Our goal is to make natural dyes accessible to all kinds of creatives, from folks trying embroidery to the first time, to master craftspeople looking for custom dyed fabrics.
Meet the Founder
When I started Prairie Fire Dyes I had been working with natural dyes for about 6 years. My story with natural dyes begins with love at first sight. My boyfriend at the time (we’re married now) bought me a DIY kit for a birthday. That small gift led to six years of researching, experimenting, growing, foraging, art making, and-eventually- to Prairie Fire Dyes.
Before I was a full-time fiber artist, I was a painter, and one thing I missed when I started embroidering was the ability to mix my own colors. I love to make things difficult for myself, so instead of using conventional fiber reactive dyes to get my color mixing, I challenged myself to create a palette from natural materials. I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of talented people who shared my interests while I was completing my Master of Fine Arts degree in Iowa. These awesome folks inspired me to dive even deeper into the world of natural color. Hundreds of shades later and I am still playing mad scientist in my studio and searching for the perfect hues to use in my art.
As I dyed for my own practice, and started collaborating with other artists, I realized there was a market for naturally colored art materials, wearable items, and natural dye kits. I wanted to make these gorgeous, eco-friendly, colors available as widely as possible. That was the birth of Prairie Fire.
Thank you so much for your interest my funny little business. Drop me a line at info@pairiefiredyes.com, I’m here to help!
-Sean Tyler
Naturally Dyed Self Portrait. Artwork by Sean Tyler, 2024. All threads were naturally dyed by the artist.
