Natural Dyeing

Yearning for rich, interesting color that is difficult to achieve with synthetic dyes? Learn basic natural dyeing cochineal, madder, indigo, osage orange and cutch, as well as safe mordant. Both protein and cellulose fibers will be explored, with color gradations that achieve a full range of color. This is a process workshop. Participants will go home with a dye sampler notebook for everything dyed in the workshop, with descriptions to help them reach similar results on their own.

Indigo Dyeing

Learn the magic and the ritual of indigo dyeing in this class. Students will gain a level of confidence in natural indigo dyeing as they work through the process from start to finish, unraveling some of the mystery behind this ancient dye form. Cellulose and protein fibers will be dyed, using simple resist methods, in the indigo vat. Students will bring their own yarns or yardage to dye.

Dyeing for Color with Fiber Reactive Dyes

Take the mystery out of dyeing with fiber reactive dyes. Using cellulose or silk fibers, students will prepare dye solutions from recipes, dye, over-dye, and do color gradations. Students will exchange samples from dye recipes to create a reference notebook, and also have the opportunity to do some creative work on their own.

Acid Dyeing

Learn the basics of acid dyeing as we work with wool, silk and various other protein fibers to create brilliant, rich color. Students will exchange samples from dye recipes, and do some improvisational work as well.

Warp Painting

The objective of this class is to teach students how to apply dyes, both acid and fiber reactive, to student prepared warp-chains. This class can be created as a 3 day workshop, a maxi-class, or as a mini demonstration/lecture. Students will become familiar with the differences between acid and fiber reactive dyes, will create some of the dye solutions, and will review color theory prior to applying the dyes.