Intro to Natural Dyes

Using pre-mordanted cotton bandannas – students will learn about making dyes from plants (flowers, roots or whole plant). While the dye bath is working (it takes up to 2 hours), we will discuss the mordanting steps, why a mordant is used, and how it works with the dye. Students can keep stirring their item for a more even uptake, leave it for a tie-dyed effect, or use simple shaped resists (shibori) for a pattern. This is a quick look at natural dyes with some amazing results intended to convert would-be-dyers to using a more sustainable method of dyeing their fibers!

Participants should dress in clothing that can get stained, bring an apron and basic sewing supplies (scissors, ruler, thimble). Instructor will supply nitrile gloves, masks (for working with powders), needles and thread for stitched shibori and items for other types of shibori to use during class. Additional materials and dye kits will be available for purchase from the instructor. Kipp has been working with textiles for over 50 years. Her work with natural dyes began 10 years ago.