Plant Dyes with Australian and traditional plants

During the two days you will gain hands-on experience using a natural fructose indigo vat. This is a vat dye, and is very effective on cotton with no mordant required.

There will also be a focus on at least one other dye. We will go through the mordanting process for fixing this dye to cotton or linen. A range of colours will be produced. The traditional dyes may include madder red, and a range of yellows from marigold, jackfruit, goldenrod etc, depending on the seasonal availability. Dyeing with natural dyes on cotton is a  more complex process than when using wool. If students are interested there will also be a demonstration of printing resists with woodblocks to create a repeating pattern.

The course will be facilitated by Janelle Schafer who is fascinated by the world of plants. After 15 years of art practice, as a painter and a sculptor, Janelle studied horticulture, botany and currently a Masters of Science in phytochemistry. The potential of making colour from plants, and in a non-toxic and healthy way, is what drives her experimentation in natural dyes, combining her love of art and science.

Workshop Fee: $180, includes full workshop instruction, dye materials and mordants, hot drinks and course notes. Bring your own lunch.
Local special discount, contact us on facebook for coupon code.

Please bring a few small pieces of pre-washed natural fabric e.g. a scarf or small item of clothing. Ideally cotton, linen or hemp.
Please bring some waterproof gloves.

Photos from previous Natural Dye workshops