My name is Victoria, and I’m the dyer behind Bind and Fold. I’m interested in ethical and sustainable living, so I work with natural textiles, fibers and plant-based dyes, with a focus on organic indigo. I live and work in Melbourne, Australia.
I started dyeing after taking an interest in sewing. I’ve always loved quilts, and I really wanted to make one of my own. I became interested in textile design through making quilts, and that led me to dye. I’m self taught in all of my craft pursuits, thanks to books and the Internet; however, I did study photography at uni, graduating with a degree in visual arts. I feel that photography and indigo dyeing have a lot in common – when you’re developing a photo, it has to emerge from the developer, and the image blooms before your eyes. Indigo is the same: it changes and takes on a new life of its own. You pull your cloth from the vat and it changes color before your eyes. Each piece is a snapshot of the technique you used to create it — and the skill of the dyer in capturing that technique.
One main source of inspiration for me is traditional crafts, particularly shibori. The term “shibori” encompasses a massive range of techniques; there are literally hundreds of different ways to pattern your cloth by binding, folding, compressing, twisting and stitching designs into it. I recently returned from a trip to Japan where I was able to meet some professional dyers and indigo masters and witness shibori masters deftly tying their designs. It was a life- and work-changing experience. My time in Japan gave me the opportunity to reflect on ideas I’d been having and develop them further just by experiencing the culture there, and I’m currently working on some new techniques and designs that I’m excited about as a result.
When I’m working on new ideas, I tend to imagine the finished piece and then work towards it. Sometimes I’ll do a quick sketch, then try out different techniques and patterns before prototyping the product. I find that some patterns work really well on certain scales, but on other scales they lose their special something. I always want my work to have a timeless element to it; I think it’s important that my work fits into people’s lives without effort. It should look like it’s meant to be there, and it always has been.
Finding this path and my passion has changed me a lot as a person. I’ve always loved art, but nothing set me on fire like dyeing does. I love the physicality of it, I love the process. It’s taught me the value of hard work – not just my own, but other people’s, as well. It’s given me a new world view, and I’m grateful for that.
My business is just me. Being small, I don’t have a private team to do all the things I don’t know how to do, like SEO; selling on Etsy has opened my work up to an international audience that I wouldn’t have reached on my own. Etsy has been my team, and I’m truly grateful for it! My goals for the future are to continue to push my craft, to learn as much as I can, to create great work, and to share it with as many people as possible. I hope that it makes other people as happy as it makes me.
Follow Bind and Fold’s Dye Diary Blog, or keep up with the latest on Instagram and Pinterest.
All photographs by Hilary Walker.
167 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Dikla Harel from Albertinaboutique said 5 years ago
Wow!!!! This is so pretty!!! Beautiful shop you have :) Congrats on the feature I wish you much success!!
Shulamit Raanan from ShuliDesigns said 5 years ago
Thank you for sharing your story! You have such a great talent and your designs are just wonderful! Congrats! :-) I wish you all the best in the future!
Svetlana from ErinlesHouse said 5 years ago
Wonderful story and beautiful store! Congratulations! :)
solinen from solinen said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! I love linen too :)
Péterné Sándorfi from TheHennaGrove said 5 years ago
Wow your textiles are beautyful. Blue is the nicest colour anyway :-)))))) And I love the fact you get organic indigo and natural fabrics.
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 5 years ago
Your passion for your art is inspirational! Beautiful designs. We wish you continued success as you follow your dreams.
Zygopsyche from Fuzziggles said 5 years ago
Congrats on a great feature!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 5 years ago
Lovely items!!!
Carol Bender from BarnshopAntiques said 5 years ago
Congrats on the feature, beautiful.
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Kyria H from OrchardRose said 5 years ago
Congratulations! Inspiring shop, and love your photos! Hope you get heaps of sales!
Hey Chica from HeyChica said 5 years ago
Lovely shop, congrats!
aaron from ArtCoStudio said 5 years ago
awesome!Lovely!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! All the best!
Wirat J. from SkylaBoutique said 5 years ago
It's so inspiring to learn about artists' journey in honing their craft. I really admire your shibori work. Congrats on your shop feature! :)
Christine from StellaireStudio said 5 years ago
Congratulations! Your work is beautiful!
DeUno from DeUno said 5 years ago
Really beautiful! Congratulations on the feature!
Mike and Jess from JessiesOrientalRugs said 5 years ago
Gorgeous, rich colors. Congrats!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 5 years ago
Love your work and shop! Congratulations on the feature:)
Kate from TwoOfAKindSupplies said 5 years ago
Your passion reflects in your work, just lovely.
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 5 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Victoria for sharing your inspiring passion, informative process, and spectacular craft with us. Truly amazing work! Peace.
Julie Grzesiek from GlassLake said 5 years ago
Beautiful colors! Congratulations on your success! :-)
S.Y Kwak from TulipAtelier said 5 years ago
Cool blue! Your work is amazing! Congratulations on the feature :)
Forty Ravens from FortyRavens said 5 years ago
I love all the shades of blue! Very beautiful!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 5 years ago
Thank you for your sharing your interesting story. Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful store and much success :)
Edith Garrett from RetroMarketplace said 5 years ago
Very different and appealing designs - best wishes for continued success!
Jessica from CreativeDollCrafts said 5 years ago
Beautiful!!!!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 5 years ago
Gorgeous shop, congratulations on the feature!
Kathleen from TheFatCatFactory said 5 years ago
Very beautiful and unique shop! Congratulations on your feature!
Elizabeth McTear from HonestAlchemyCo said 5 years ago
Hey Victoria! Good to see you here! Congratulations on the feature, my friend. Great work, as always. And I love watching your progress via IG. So great to be able to connect, even half a world away. Loving the forays into madder you're doing! Great color achieved! xoxo Beth
Candy from GrayKeyDesigns said 5 years ago
So Beautiful!! Congratulations and best wishes!!
Shelly Okun from ShellyClayspot said 5 years ago
Lovely feature, especially love all the blue!
Carol Wagner from VintageBettyLuke said 5 years ago
Beautiful items! Thanks for sharing your story
Stephanie Maslow Blackman from metalicious said 5 years ago
Gorgeous work, thank you for sharing your gift with the world!
Olden Day Charm from OldenDayCharm said 5 years ago
Super amazing! Stunning and Bright. Congrats on the feature! xoxo
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 5 years ago
Beautiful, congrats on the feature!
anne from QUALITYcovers said 5 years ago
Thank you for your sharing your interesting story. Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful store .Beautiful items! All the best!
Sara from UrbanFarmhouseTampa said 5 years ago
I LOVE that you use plant based dyes and organic materials. Congrats on the feature! :)
Ombretta from IndieLab said 5 years ago
cute modern design! congrats!
charlotte cannon from thevintagevoguestory said 5 years ago
victoria what a gorgeous feature! i love the uniqueness of each piece and the subtleties in pattern each fold can make. make me want to dive into shibori. your work is stunning and this feature was tops. thanks for sharing your work and process with the world. congrats and all the best :)
ACR from IntoTheBluePaintShop said 5 years ago
I love your product, beautiful !
grigritextile from GriGriTextile said 5 years ago
How wonderful! Love your work and your IG feed is such an inspiration!
JewelryAffairs from JewelryAffairs said 5 years ago
Beautiful work. Congratulations!
Liz and Phil Van D from lizystuff said 5 years ago
Fabulous shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Sonja Bikić from DeepSilence said 5 years ago
interesting
Parinda Desai from RoopkalaBoutique said 5 years ago
Congratulations! Hard work pays...
V from valezhki said 5 years ago
I absolutely love your story and shop. I share your passion for dyeing! All the best!
Gino Escate from Gygante said 5 years ago
Congratulations! great post!
Kippy from KippyRose said 5 years ago
Stunning work! Congrats on the feature :)
Tina St. John from TinaStJohnJewelry said 5 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations!
Tommy T from TawanSilk said 5 years ago
so beautiful! love it
aspendreams from AspenDreams said 5 years ago
Stunning pieces. Congrats on your feature.
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 5 years ago
It's magical to dye fabric. I like it a lot. Congratulations on the feature!
Stacy Cramblit from StacyOriginals said 5 years ago
Wow! Your work is fabulous! I really enjoyed reading your feature. Congratulations!
Iris from KlampDesign said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations! :)
KC from TheDirection said 5 years ago
Fascinating feature! I'm in love with that moon!
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 5 years ago
Lovely work! Congrats!
prairieoats from prairieoats said 5 years ago
Gorgeous work and feature! Congratulations!
ThriftyLife from ThriftyUpenyu said 5 years ago
love your work:) congrats on the feature
Eleri K from CleopatrasJewelry said 5 years ago
Gorgeous! I love your work.
Yuri Pysar from Pysar said 5 years ago
unique! creations that have personality! congrats on the feature :)
Jeanette Nickel from NickelsKnittery said 5 years ago
This is so cool, thanks so much for sharing your gift!
Cristen Breuer from MOOTUGS said 5 years ago
Congrats on the feature! I love reading stores of other Etsy sellers. It's really motivating and inspiring. :)
Elisheva Manekin from loopdesignstudio said 5 years ago
Stunning pieces!!
Diana from LeSeForYou said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! CONGRATULATIONS!
Anastasia from LAccentNou said 5 years ago
Love your work! Congrats!
Kathy Terrill from NYCFitnessFamilyFind said 5 years ago
what a treat for the eyes!
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 5 years ago
Gorgeous designs. Congrats!
Elena Justlena from Justlena said 5 years ago
Great post!
Linda Foerster from HollyCreekHome said 5 years ago
Thank you for you sharing your story and your beautiful items! Your fingernails must be permanently blue but as a craft artisan, it's worth it!!! All the best!
Marta DQ from tribomo said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats on the feature!
Michelle Cleek O'Hollaren from sophisticatedpup said 5 years ago
Gorgeous!
Patti from ChicModerne said 5 years ago
Stunning shop and inspirational story! Congrats on the Feature! :)
AGoodsMaker from TheGoodsMaker said 5 years ago
The shibori grid pattern in indigo is really beautiful and I love your other work in dyes and pattern creation also. Congratulations and best wishes on future success!
Aga from AgasJourney said 5 years ago
So beautiful!!!! huge congrats and best wishes!
Lowe Jewelry from lowelowejewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful work!
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 5 years ago
The tea towels are beautiful... beautiful enough to function as scarves. Your products showcase your environmental concern and care. Thank you and have many years of success in your business.
Megan Bark from HabitatHandcrafted said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! You are truly so talented. I can't imagine how amazing your trip to Japan must have been! Wish you all the best and much continued success.
Cheryl Mendenhall from EECustomHorseShoes said 5 years ago
Absolutely beautiful work! I like the fact that you do everything. Been reading lately how some have hired people to work on their SEO. I, too, do our SEO and learn something new every week. I wish you continued success in the future. Keep making your beautiful items! Cheryl Mendenhall EECustomHorseShoes
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 5 years ago
Your work is beautiful!!!! Congratulations on the feature!!! :)
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 5 years ago
Lovely work. Congrats on the feature.
Debbie Sorsoleil-Dierkes from MakeStory said 5 years ago
Beautifully said and wonderful work. Yes, it does make me happy!
MYJ from MYJsGallery said 5 years ago
Beautiful work , love your shop :)
Amber from BambuEarth said 5 years ago
LOVE that bedding! ♥︎♥︎♥︎
Adriana Blake from HappyMomentsGiftShop said 5 years ago
Yes, your blue indigo does bloom before my eyes! Congratulations Victoria!
TheVelvetLaundry from TheVelvetLaundry said 5 years ago
Beautiful Work!! :) and Beautiful Colors :):)
BonTons from BonTons said 5 years ago
Beautiful work. Congratulations on the Feature!
Belinda S from poppylovestogroove said 5 years ago
Amazing work! Congratulations on the feature.
Acquanetta Ferguson from OliveandBrook said 5 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on the feature!
Jess Greenleaf from GREENLEAFblueberry said 5 years ago
So beautiful!!
Caroline Haynie from PoorLittleButterfly said 5 years ago
Gorgeous work! Congrats on your feature!
Tim Condron from InOro said 5 years ago
Stunning indigo colors and creative patterns make for some amazing work, keep chasing your passion!
Natalia from Nikifashion said 5 years ago
Awesome work :O)
Vic Pemberton from BindandFold said 5 years ago
Thanks so much everyone! I am so pleased that I am able to share my passion and work with each and every one of you. Your support and kind words are truly heart warming and wonderful! Thank you all so much and THANK YOU ETSY!!!!
Madeleine Keller from ThoseGoodVibrations said 5 years ago
Your story is wonderful and your products are beautiful! Your item photos are great and it's wonderful to see that you have enjoyed Etsy so much! Congratulations on the feature!
Lisa from SundayOwl said 5 years ago
Your work is beautiful. Best wishes Victoria.
Paola Valera from MiloNecklaces said 5 years ago
I believe you are goint to need some help with your business right away! You are doing great!! Congrats, awesome work :)
Linda Campbell from toyhstreasures said 5 years ago
Wishing you much success!!!!!!
Edwige L. from LeavesbyEdwige said 5 years ago
Wow congrats. Oh my gosh I love the color. It is stunning!
Sunny Lee from JewelMango said 5 years ago
Congratulations
greenphilosophie from greenphilosophie said 5 years ago
Wonderful shop & work…Congrats and much success… :)
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 5 years ago
What a beautiful collection! Congrats on the feature and your lovely shop!
Stacey from GraphixLLC said 5 years ago
Absolutely Beautiful! Enjoyed reading your story. Congrats on the feature and best wishes to you and your amazing shop.
Renata and Jonathan from RenataandJonathan said 5 years ago
Great shop.Congrats!
Liana from COCOandLI said 5 years ago
I love the prints you create, they're gorgeous!
Debbie Custer from CharmedThings said 5 years ago
Hi Victoria, Beautiful, Beautiful Work! I can see why you gravitated towards the Indigo, it's mesmerizing! I'm so happy for your success now and in the future! Thank you for sharing.....Debbie
Jenette Robert from OverTheMoonBridal said 5 years ago
Lovely shop! Love the blue colors. Congratulations on your feature!! Best of luck to you.
Urairak from LeelaMalee said 5 years ago
Congratulations! Your work is beautiful.
Yael Berger from TheJoyofColor said 5 years ago
Congrats Victoria , i admire your work for quite sometime I love textile indigo and folk art and you combined it all in your beautiful items with a contemporary touch
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 5 years ago
What a great story. You can tell that you really love your work and it shows. Congratulation on your feature and I wish you the best of luck for your future endeavors.
Liat and Galia from lilizaccessories said 5 years ago
Love your work! very artistic
Elizabeth Knaus from FreshRetroGallery said 5 years ago
Bind and Fold. Great name.
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 5 years ago
self-taught?? amazing! and messy! I love it
monika popowitz miasole from miasole said 5 years ago
Congrats on the feature!
Anastasia Hedlund from Avaneska said 5 years ago
beautiful items and shop! Congrats!
Idy from dyeing2meetU said 5 years ago
Congratulations Victoria! Your work is beautiful and your sincere passion can be felt. I share your excitement about Indigo (or woad, which is the endemic blue dye in Europe): it can become a wonderful self discovery journey, in studying the natural laws and balances at play in a very practical way: moon phases, weather, alkali, acid... such an inspiring living harmony in an organic vat - and a tough teacher sometimes ;) Lovely photos of your work too...
Melody Fulone from MelmariaDesigns said 5 years ago
Gorgeous! Love this.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 5 years ago
Gorgeous work! Love the indigo color. Congratulations on the feature!
Jafeth Moiane from handicraftafrica said 5 years ago
Beautiful items. Congrats!
Vera Noritsa from CobraQueensGift said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congrats on the feature!
Bobby and Clayton Chamberlain from AmericanNative said 5 years ago
Gosh, I just love indigo!
Jeanne S from EclecticSageVintage said 5 years ago
I loved seeing photos of the process. So fascinating. It makes sense that you would be wearing dark blue jeans while working with indigo. :) Congrats on the feature and keep up the good work. Looking forward to seeing more designs that you come up with in the future.
Narwhal Needlework from NarwhalNeedlework said 5 years ago
Love your work!
Julia K Walton from FireHorseVintageHQ said 5 years ago
I adore the colour of indigo dye - just off to explore your shop! :o)
Jema Watts from BadgeShack said 5 years ago
So colorful! Love your shop!
Craig Neukirch from Turns2art said 5 years ago
So awesome that you got to work with the Japanese dye masters. Great Work and continued success.
Shelly Daood from BoundtobeCreative said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago
Great work! Congrats!
Etrennes from Etrennes said 5 years ago
Unique and Beautiful creations! Wishing you all the Best for continued success!!
Petr Kubíček from AtelierCubick said 5 years ago
Beautiful :-))
Ainee Beland from seule771 said 5 years ago
Indigo has so many qualities (good and bad); earliest use for it was to wash clothing; the bleaching of fabrics Indigo was used for. I think there are studies showing that heavy usage or contact with this dye can attribute to some forms of cancer; hopefully, I am misinformed. You are careful with your craft, as it is from experience and knowledge. Beautiful work other wise, Congrats on the feature!
Gwynne Collins from DaysLongGone said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats on the feature!
ReDESIGNProductions1 from ReDESIGNProductions1 said 5 years ago
Such a lovely shop & items. Congrats on the feature story & wishing you continued success:)
Brenda Bordas from brendabordas said 5 years ago
Thanks for sharing your story. It is always inspiring to hear someone else's story! Your work is beautiful wish you continued success.
JoyceAlice from TheSeeingEye said 5 years ago
Beautiful! I love indigo. This reminds me of Geninne's art; she uses a lot of indigo color as well. Have you ever thought of dying silk scarves? They would be lovely.
kathy johnson from ShoeClipsOnly said 5 years ago
Your designs are very pretty and so colorful! Very cheerful! Congratulations on the feature!
Snazzy Living from Snazzyliving said 5 years ago
Love your style. All the best to you.
Maria Singleton from VintageMoonStudios said 5 years ago
Beautiful work and I love your designs and talent! Congratulations on your feature!
Terai from terainbDesigns said 5 years ago
Love your work and most especially the colors :). Good luck to you and you shop!
Carla Hansen from myneedlehabit said 5 years ago
Aussie Aussie Aussie Oy Oy Oy!!!
Kim Cole from BeachDaisyJewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful designs, love the indigo blue! Congrats on the feature, best wishes for your creative shop!
Proton ThreeD from Proton3D said 5 years ago
beautiful work, congrats!
Megan C from AlaskaBagCompany said 5 years ago
wow so pretty! indigo is my favorite....
Myrna from justforprettyshop said 5 years ago
So beautiful, congratulations on being featured.
Liat and Galia from lilizaccessories said 5 years ago
SO BEAUTIFUL!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 5 years ago
So pretty ~ your designs are a lifestyle with a classic look that never goes out of style. Cheers to much continued success !
Emily Watson from FamilyRugShop said 5 years ago
nice shop
Paper Boy from PaperBoysVintage said 5 years ago
Sensational work that is both timeless and pure. Wishing you a lifetime of creative success.
Justyna from JumpingSkyDiy said 5 years ago
Love your shop!!! It's totally beautiful! Geat!
Katie Anne from MiddleCoast said 5 years ago
Beautifully romantic pieces! I love the self discovery of your story! :)
Adriana Ličková from adrianalickova said 5 years ago
Original interesting gorgeous ! Congratulations :)
WindowDressingShades from WindowDressingShades said 5 years ago
Interesting design and techniques!Many congrats on the feature.
Fernando Eizaguirre from EizaArt said 5 years ago
Love the blue
Sandra from patternific said 5 years ago
Love that you use organic materials to produce your items! Also everything looks great and you are so talented! wishing you success!
Alicia Rohan from apdesignco said 5 years ago
Your designs are so beautiful!!
Washi Factory from WashiFactory said 5 years ago
So gorgeous!
Emily from beetleinkco said 5 years ago
Gorgeous pieces!!!
Anita Spero from AnitaSperoDesign said 5 years ago
When you are able to make the most detailed part of your work...(the color)..it just brings you to a new level of pride. Just beautiful. Congrats!
Carissa from 333HandmadeJewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful. Congrats :O)
Betul Akyurek from CloudCraftss said 5 years ago
The color is my favorite .. Beautiful things..
Julia Ong from SunshineFashion said 5 years ago
Congratulations!!!
Heather from PixiePlunders said 5 years ago
Beautiful pieces! The designs are gorgeous. Congratulations!
Donna Roberge from DonnaRobergePhoto said 5 years ago
I love your work, congratulations and best of luck with your shop!
Kathy from SewKreativebyKathryn said 5 years ago
Awesome! I love your work.
Natalia Mylona from MylonaJewellery said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop!☻
Emily from beetleinkco said 5 years ago
So talented! Love that grid pattern :)