Science of Natural Dyes; intensive

Learn all about the many historically rich techniques using all natural dyes stuffs, where the come from, the social significance in ancient cultures, and how to forage for you own materials.

This class is a more intensive hands on version of "Dyeing with Nature" workshops which only runs 3 hours.  In this special intensive we will meet for two half days, allowing for more techniques and skills to be demonstrated and more time to accomplish them!  We get deeper and more hands on with the lengthy process, like mordanting your own pieces and special tricks to prepare specialty natural dyes. See below for specific agenda.

Each student will be able to dye 5-9 pieces. For Day 1 we will be preparing 3 cellulose items (cotton, hemp, linen if bringing) and 2 protein fibers (silk, wool if bringing) that will be cut up for sampling, you may bring the same amount/type for each style demonstrated. Some preparation of fiber takes longer than we have together, so you will have items that can be brought home and dyed later as well, an extra 4 pieces each of cellulose fiber may be brought in for this take home activity.  (note there is a size limitation per piece to suit the pot sizes. Material provided is for sampling colors.)

Day 1: Mordanting with alum, iron, alum acetate, and using soy binder. Preparing dye baths; madder cochineal and dipping in indigo for overdyeing.

Day 2: Dyeing with 3 colors and tannins for grey and black, over dyeing for green and purple. Soy milk binded pieces will be brought home for you to dye on your own time. Dyes available for purchase. (dyes used in class; madder, cochineal, myrobalan, indigo, marigold. Some substitution may be needed if materials are not available.)

Fibers to bring (May be cut up for color sampling or I will provide samples.):

2 pieces of silk will be prepared in Alum (you may also bring yarn). 

2 pieces of cellulose will be prepared in Alum Acetate.

1 piece will be prepared in Iron. 

Previous silk and cellulose will be dipped in Indigo

Up to 4 pieces may be prepared in Soy for later dyeing on your own.