Step into the wild, wonderful world of eco dyeing—where plants, pressure, and a little bit of heat combine to create unexpected beauty on fabric. In this playful and fast-paced two-day workshop, you’ll explore the art (and science!) of contact print dyeing—a process where leaves, flowers, rusty bits, and all sorts of curious materials leave their marks behind in surprising, often magical ways.
We’ll dive into the fundamentals: how to choose and prep fabric, use mordants, bundle botanicals, and coax out rich, organic patterns with steam and time. But don’t expect rigid rules—this class is all about experimentation, discovery, and embracing the glorious unpredictability of nature's palette.
Bring your curiosity and a few fabric pieces you'd love to transform—everything else, including an extensive array of plants, supplies, and equipment, will be ready and waiting for you. You'll be guided every step of the way with plenty of encouragement, creative mischief, and room to explore. You'll go home with a beautiful stash of one-of-a-kind fabrics—perfect for stitching, collaging, bookmaking, or just admiring!
With two full days together, you'll have the time and space to play, experiment, and let your creativity roam. This is also a perfect opportunity to engage in sustainable art-making—recycling and transforming textiles in a world where fabric waste is all too common.
No experience necessary. Just come ready to play, bundle, unwrap, and celebrate the happy accidents along the way.
Materials Fee $50 paid at beginning of class includes:
This fee includes everything you need to fully immerse yourself in the eco dyeing process—no scrambling for tools or materials. A great deal of care and effort has gone into sourcing, collecting, and preparing an abundant array of equipment and botanical materials to make your experience rich and seamless.
A satin silk scarf 8” x 54”
All equipment and tools for eco dyeing: steamers, burners, propane, dowels, buckets, drying racks, plastic
Plastic sheeting, spray bottles, and fabric marking tools
A generous selection of known printing plant material
Pre-dyed fabric blankets
Natural dyes
Mordants and vinegar
Recycled fabric
Nitrile gloves
Everything will be ready and waiting so you can focus on experimenting, creating, and having fun.
Supplies Needed to bring for Class:
Smaller pieces of white or light-colored fabric no wider than 20”. I am a big proponent of recycled textiles! Silk, wool, and cotton are the “recommended” fabrics, but I have had some striking results with synthetic as well. Feel free to bring vintage lace, hankies, old rags, or even worn-out sheets—anything you’re curious to transform. This class is all about experimentation and seeing what surprises emerge!
I will be providing you with one silk scarf.
If you would like more: Dharma Trading Company is a good source for reasonable silk yardage and silk scarves. http://www.dharmatrading.com/fabric/silk/silk-fabrics.html
A pair of sharp scissors
A couple absorbent rags or paper towels for mopping up messes
This is a messy wet class so you may want an apron
I will be providing nitrile gloves but if you would like more coverage you may want a pair of longer dishwashing gloves
Several Ziploc bags 1 or 2 gallon size for transporting wet materials home
Optional:
Additional local plant material you would like to experiment with
A bundle of dried or fresh eucalyptus
“Special” rust objects (there will be lots of general rusty objects provided for class use)
Embroidery thread and needles if you would like to explore some stitching in the down times
To pre-order supplies, click on this link for Runaway Art and Craft Studio...