Turkish Textiles & hand dyeing

I came across the on the Natural Dyed Textiles website . "In 1978 Dr. Harald Böhmer, a German chemist living in Turkey sparked a small revolution in the area of rug weaving. Böhmer began analyzing dyes in old rugs using a technique called thin-layer chromatography, a method devised to analyze priceless textiles with little damage. By carefully comparing the dyes in old rugs to hundreds of plant sources, Böhmer re-identified the original plants giving vibrant natural dyes. As this process had been practically forgotten it was re-taught to a group of weavers who formed a profit-sharing cooperative known as the Natural Dye Research and Development Project, or DOBAG (the acronym for the Turkish translation). The DOBAG Project now supports about 400 families in western Turkey."

The Natural Dyed Textiles website is an new international nonprofit organized to research natural dyes and pigments, share information and educate the public about the history of this rich tradition and the use of these natural materials. My specific interest in Turkey is due to my pending trip.... 7 more days. I can't wait.
The website also has a large list of natural dyeing processes...."there is wide variation in the specific steps suggested for natural dyeing. Traditions vary widely from culture to cultural and there are many ways to do things."