"Natural Dye & Print Initiation" Video Course

(Dye kit available with all the materials required to use with this course, for an extra cost - more info below).
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For dyeing, drawing, painting & printmaking on paper & fabrics..⁠
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Start Natural Dyeing now..!⁠
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~ With 6 x Easy-to-follow video sessions, covering the main natural dye techniques..With a focus on sustainability.

Session 1: Sourcing Materials + Equipment to Set Up Your Natural Dye Studio.
Session 2: Understanding Natural Dyes
Session 3: Indigo dyeing + Shibori
Session 4: Bundle Dyeing
Session 5: Ink-Making
Session 6: Block-Printing

Expect to gain a good understanding of the following:

💧 Making & using natural dyes from whole fresh and dry plants, powder & extract dyes⁠.
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💧 How to set up and use a simple 3-step organic indigo fructose dye vat.
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💧 Bundle dyeing with flowers and extracts to make amazing repeat patterns on fabric.
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💧 Shibori tie dyeing for geometrical repeat patterns on fabric.

💧 Making natural dye inks printmaking with natural plant starch binders.
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💧 Making natural dye inks for drawing, writing & painting withnatural plant starch binders.
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💧 Mordanting with both plant & non-toxic mineral based mordants
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💧 The trick to getting bright, rich, long-lasting natural dye results
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💧 How to make or source and use natural + non-toxic ph-neutral soaps, mordants & modifiers.
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💧 Using natural modifiers to expand your colour range.
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💧 How to set up your own natural dye studio, sourcing best practise equipment, and local, sustainable materials.

💧 The basics to understanding natural dyes and working with them for dyeing, drawing, painting and printmaking on paper and fabric surfaces.
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Each session is est. 30 minutes & offers step-by-step video demos, to use at your own pace..⁠

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WHAT DOES EACH SESSION COVER?

Each session will cover a different topic, building upon the last.

Week 1: Sourcing Materials + Equipment to Set Up Your Natural Dye Studio.

Sustainable fibre sourcing: cellulose + protein (silk, wool, cotton, linen) - local + circular options.
Preparing & mordanting cellulose + protein fabrics (plant & non-toxic mineral mordants).
Learn the best way to source materials which are local, non-toxic & biodegradable, as part of a local and circular textile system.

Equipment lists and sourcing links provided
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Week 2: Understanding Natural Dyes

Sustainable natural dye sourcing/ types of naural dyes/responses to different mordants + fibres. You will see samples of different dyed fabrics and receive information to de-mystify how different dyes work in a simplified and easy to understand format.
Brewing dyes from fresh/dry/powdered & extract dyes.
Dyeing mordanted fabric samples to create your own palette of natural dye colours.
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Week 3: Indigo dyeing + Shibori

Learn how to set up and use a natural fructose indigo vat, using the simple 123 step recipe created by Michel Garcia. With 3 simple ingrediants - organic indigo, fructose and lime.
Plus information about re-balancing your vat for continued use. These vats will last you many years when treated right.
Over-dyeing - working with th eonly true blue colour from nature to overdye yellows and reds to create the full colour spectrum and complete your colour swatch collection.
Shibori - simple fold and bind resist pattern making techniques, using twine or pegs to create geometic shapes.
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Week 4: Bundle Dyeing

Create exciting prints from flowers and plant materials without the need for a dye pot! This direct printing technique transfers colours and shapes from petals and leaves to make repeat patterns which you will fall in love with. A quick natural dye technique with incredible results.
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Week 5: Ink-Making

Make simple inks from locally foraged plants and extract powders for drawing and painting, (Nettle leaf is used fordemonstration) plus indeliible writing ink using a traditional oak gall and iron recipe.
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Week 6: Block-Printing

Transform simple inks into printing mediums suitable for block printing, using plant starches and binding agents.
We use a household and found objects as blcoks for making repeat patterns on fabric and paper. These print mediums can also be adapted for use with screen printing.
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Please allow 1-2 working days for downloadable files to be emailed to the email address registered at check-out.

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A Full Course Kit is available for an additional cost, including all the materials you need for each session, to be posted to you.
(Available to order from March 1st )

This kit includes:
- locally grown & manufactured natural fibre fabrics & yarns including, Bristol regenerative wool, unbleached European linen, organic uk-woven unbleached cotton & uk-grown organic peace silk.
- organic natural dye extracts & raw dyes
- non toxic mineral & plant mordants & modifiers
- organic ph neutral soap
- vegetable based block print mediums
- organic fructose indigo vat ingredients
- uk grown dye flowers for bundle dyeing

Please note that these kits are made to order and are therefore non-refundable.

Please allow 4-5 days for orders to be packaged and dispatched and take into consideration shipping times for into orders.

If you prefer to use your own materials, you can simply select the "Online Course Only - No Kit Included" option and you will receive an email with the full materials and equipment list that you can source yourself.

If you would like to do this course as a group, you can add additional participants, for viewing access of the videos from their own individual devices. For a reduced fee of £100 per person. Simply select the number of additional viewers you require from the drop down menu at check out.

For any queries about this course, please email [email protected]

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