ABOVE Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw holds up a sample of her multi-colored, indigo-dyed linen.
GLASGOW UK There was a time when Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw felt seriously low. Looking for a shift in perspective, she read a book about positive thinking. Around that same time, Instagram was just getting started. Elisabeth signed up with the handle @bettysbeautifullife and began posting one beautiful image every day.
It worked!
Fifteen years later, Victoria and I visited Elisabeth in the middle of a week-long indigo workshop. We could see that beauty radiated through every corner of her life and Glasgow studio.
BELOW 1 Elisabeth with her 200-liter ferrous indigo vat. 2 A vignette from the dyeing studio.
Four students — from the US, the Scottish Highlands, and Italy — gathered in her studio, creating layered indigo patterns on linen.
BELOW 1 Lime-soya resist is applied to the linen before it’s submerged seven times in the indigo vat. 2 The resist has been scraped off and the first dye round is complete for Sam’s project.
Elisabeth’s upcoming book, Botanical Printing On Paper, will be released this summer.
As Elisabeth showed us the manuscript — filled with gorgeous photographs and comprehensive illustrations — she boldly stated “I make colour.”
BELOW Elisabeth with the manuscript for her upcoming book.
An artist, Elisabeth explained that she works with plants and wood to dye cloth, yarn, and paper — transforming natural materials into surfaces alive with color and pattern.
BELOW 1 Botanically dyed yarn and cloth by Elisabeth. 2 Eco-dyeing by Elisabeth.
Elisabeth’s commitment to mastering indigo dyeing has taken her to Thailand and Japan. Part artist, part alchemist, she is constantly experimenting, learning, and refining her craft. And sharing her expertise generously with others.
In Elisabeth’s hands, colour is more than decoration — it’s process, discovery, and a way of seeing the world.
BELOW Good bye Elisabeth. I hope to see you at Festival of Quilts!
BONUS CONTENT
Victoria joined the crew, stitching a piece of linen with a sewing machine and dunking it into the indigo vat — with great results!
BELOW Victoria’s indigo and linen exploration.
THU November 19 - THU December 3, 2026: Forget the turkey this November! Elizabeth is taking a small group to Thailand for a 14-day tour: The Colours of Thailand. To learn about this fabulous opportunity +click here
BELOW 1 Elisabeth shows a cloth dyed with banana flowers. This one-day dyeing experience, near Bankok, will be part of The Colours of Thailand tour in November. 2 Sam went to Thailand with Elisabeth last year and made this cool book when she returned. 3 A peek inside Sam’s memory book.
To pre-order a signed copy of Elisabeth’s book +click here
To read a blog post and see lots of photos from last year’s Thailand tour +click here
To visit Elisabeth’s website +click here
Patricia and Victoria are currently in the UK scouting exciting people and places for their inaugural Great UK Quilt & Textile Journey. To be on the Interested List for this Summer 2027 tour, email Victoria +here.
