above: The inspiration for the ‘Reeds’ pattern
HETTLE has participated in NY NOW Trade shows 2020, 2021, 2023 and American Handcraft 2021. We have also been featured in Real Simple Magazine and Country Living Magazine.
To inquire about wholesale orders please email at Hi@Hettleshop.com.
HETTLE is a member of the Railroad Street Collective in Great Barrington, MA and in Greylock Works, in North Adams, MA.
It's the small things that make a big difference.
Simple modern design with down to earth style. Organic Plant Dyed Goods designed and handmade in my studio Wethersfield, CT and Becket, MA.
Hello, I’m Gina of HETTLE shop. We began in small spare bedroom as an Etsy shop, way back in 2008. At the time I was working full time as a graphic designer, and as a single parent of 2 was looking to supplement my income without having to leave home. This small business has changed in many ways over the years and has brought much joy & pride to our little family. HETTLE is a silly name for the softest bunny in the world. It seemed fitting to name my shop after a creature that brings simple happiness to our family. At HETTLE our desire is that our textiles bring that same simple goodness to you.
I am a graduate of The University of Connecticut with a degree in Fine Arts. As a person working professionally as a photographer, graphic designer and marketing & advertising director, I had a deep desire to work with my hands again. After a short hiatus, HETTLE shop has reopened with a new perspective on the 'things' we add to our lives.
Our inspiration is always Nature and our connection to it.
For us, this means paying attention to the little choices. Creating products with natural plant dyes, organic fabrics and modern design. The hand painted patterns and block prints are employed using an alternative printmaking. Created with mordant paste combined with plant extracts and over dyed with plant dyes.
Our work celebrates the beauty of imperfection and handmade traditions. Each piece is a unique one of a kind design.
ORGANIC | HANDMADE | PLANT DYED
OUR PROCESS
Our fabric is washed with soda ash and textile detergent in a high efficiency washing machine. This way we use less water and the high spin cycle removes the Soda Ash for a more consistent dye.
We mordant our cellulose fabric with a tannin and alum bath for lightfastness..
Our dyes include Cutch, Myrobalan, Cochineal, Buckthorn, Madder Root, Logwood and Organic Indigo ( Indigofera tinctoria ) (GOTS) certified, this Indigo helps support small scale agriculture. Weld, to create a vibrant yellow to mix with Indigo. The lovely Pomegranate we use creates a beautiful golden yellow and is a base to achieve many other colors like teal and pewter. To reach these colors we use an iron bath (ferrous sulfate) assist. We use a limited dye run so that all of our dyes are completely exhausted before we discard of them. The assists help us to achieve our harmonious color palette. It also means we use less water too.
All of our cloth is dyed in small batches, there is always a slight variance between dye pots. Artisan cloth shows the hand of the dyer through irregularities and variations. These are considered desirable characteristics and are valued marks of hand made cloth. As with all hand dyed fabric, there will be slight tonal shading and variations in each piece.
