Natural dyeing is a fascinating mix of intuitive beauty and technical process. Achieving good, consistent results comes from understanding the basic requirements of creating beautiful color. Many of us forage, collect, and find fascinating dyestuffs on our daily walks, when we visit nearby gardens, or when we travel, but then don’t have a simple way to document and test our discoveries. This intensive workshop with Kathy Hattori, president of Botanical Colors, will give you confidence in working with a variety of natural dyes and help you create a one-of-a-kind dyer's journal.

Over 5 days, you'll explore techniques for evaluating and handling dyestuffs in any format. A thorough understanding of mordanting will allow you to choose the best methods for creating the colors you want. Then, as a final project, each participant will create a natural dye travel journal, suitable for taking on your next trip.

This hands-on workshop covers how to work with natural dyes from the garden, from foraged or windfall discoveries, and from imported sources.

• Explore a variety of mordants ranging from plant tannins and mineral salts to foraged symplocos leaves from Indonesia. All the mordants used in this workshop are generally recognized as non-toxic.

• Work in small teams to create a multitude of recipes and samples for inspiration, record-keeping, and reference.

• Learn how to coax the best color from dye plants.

• Document, swatch, and compare results among colors.

• Compile your work into a unique, hand-stitched dye journal.

You'll leave the workshop with a beautiful multi-page dye journal partly filled with swatches and notes, with a cover you've hand-stitched from natural dye swatches. The intention is for you, the artist, to carry this journal with you on your adventures through life, adding to your reference book of swatches using the skills you've learned and strengthened in this workshop.

Details

• Skill level: While this workshop is designed for advanced beginners familiar with natural dye terminology, adventurous beginners are also welcome.
• Dress for mess! Working with dyes can stain clothes and create airborne irritants. You should wear clothes you don't mind getting stained and bring a dye apron or smock, gloves, and a face mask.
• This workshop is part of Handwork 2027 at BARN. 

Materials

Class Policies

• Ages 14 and up are welcome.
• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.