BELFAST — Tuesday, Feb. 18, at noon, in the Abbott Room of Belfast Free Library, fiber artist and natural dyes expert Jude Hsiang will speak about growing and using dye plants in the home garden. The program is free and open to the public.

"Although some plants used in natural dyeing are only found in the tropics, a dozen or so are well suited to our Maine gardens," said Belfast Garden Club, in a news release. "They provide a link to ancient, yet easily learned, practices and vibrant cultural traditions that live on throughout the world."

Born knitting, Jude Hsiang is particularly interested in using Maine-raised and spun natural fibers with dye plants from her garden and locally foraged. She will bring naturally dyed items, her dye record books, and more, from almost 50 years of exploring natural dyeing.

Retired from teaching Botany for the UConn Extension Master Gardener Program, Jude Hsiang enjoys the plants and animals on her two acres of field, woods and swamp in South China. She teaches natural dyeing with an emphasis on sustainable practices and is an active member of the Maine Fibershed, which encourages thoughtful use of our natural and environmental resources.