Workshops and Classes
Teaching the art of capturing color from plants.
Learn how to use locally grown flowers, food waste, and foraged plants to make beautiful, naturally dyed textiles in my hands-on workshops and classes. Listings are updated often!
Natural Dyes: Patterns & Prints
Designed for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this 10-week workshop is an exciting exploration into the art of creating dynamic patterns and prints on fabric using natural dyes. We’ll cover a variety of surface design techniques using stamps, stencils, and brushes in combination with a diverse array of natural dye sources and mordant pastes. We’ll extract dye baths from several natural sources, including food waste, locally grown plants, and traditional historic dyes, and use shibori resist techniques and dye modifiers to create vibrant colors and intricate patterns on cloth. Several methods for the direct application of natural dyes onto fabric will also be covered, including bundle dyeing and eco-printing. Gain a comprehensive understanding of natural dyeing techniques and their applications in surface design and discover the endless possibilities for creating works of art on fabric with natural dyes.
Eco-Printing with Pressed Flowers on Silk
Learn how to use pressed flowers to create a stunning, one-of-a-kind silk scarf. This hands-on workshop will lead participants through the natural dye process known as 'eco-printing' using locally grown dye flowers. Eco-printing is a direct dyeing technique that creates near-perfect plant prints on fabric or paper. It is also one of the most water-wise natural dye processes, making it particularly eco-friendly. Gain insight into the unique dye properties of flowers and leaves and how they impart rich colors and stunning patterns onto fabric. Experience the magic of coaxing color from botanical materials to create works of art on fabric. Whether you’re crafting a gift for someone special or treating yourself, you’ll leave with a beautiful, naturally dyed creation and a deeper understanding of sustainable textile art.
This workshop is appropriate for all levels of experience ages 12+. The $90 per person workshop fee covers all materials and supplies.
Local Natural Dyes: Philly’s Springtime Colors
Designed for those new to natural dyeing or looking to deepen their practice, this five-week hands-on workshop explores the vibrant world of natural color using springtime plants and materials found right here in Philadelphia. From neighborhood trees and native flowers to kitchen scraps and common garden plants, you’ll learn how to turn everyday local resources into stunning, naturally dyed textiles.
We’ll cover fiber selection, scouring, and best practices for pretreating fabric with tannins and mordants—tailored to the specific natural dyes we’ll be using. Discussions will highlight the unique characteristics of plant dyes and introduce the science behind this ancient craft. Dye baths will be extracted from a variety of sources, including food waste, traditional dye plants, and the local flora growing in our urban environment. You’ll also experiment with shibori resist techniques and dye modifiers in combination with immersion dyeing to create bold patterns and long-lasting color. Leave with a beautiful collection of naturally dyed textiles and a fresh appreciation for the hidden natural color all around you!
Bundle Dyeing with Flowers & Kitchen Dyes
Learn how to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind patterns on textiles using a variety of flowers, botanical dyes, kitchen scraps, and spices. This workshop will lead participants through one of the most water-wise and unique natural dye processes, known as “bundle dyeing”. By focusing on both kitchen dyes and flower dyes, participants will be introduced to a broad array of natural dye sources. You’ll leave this workshop with a bundle-dyed organic cotton bandana and silk scarf of your own creation, and with a handout to assist you in continuing your investigation of these practices on your own. Discover the joy of capturing color from plants and humble kitchen waste to create works of art on fabric.
This workshop is appropriate for ages 6+ and all experience levels. All materials and supplies are provided.
Plant to Print: Eco-Printing with Wildflowers
Join me for this hands-on three hour workshop at fellow natural dyer, Cait Nolan's, South Jersey farm-studio located just 30 minutes from Philly. Learn how to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind botanical prints on textiles with freshly picked flowers. This workshop will lead participants through the natural dye process known as "eco-printing" using locally grown dye flowers. We’ll take time to discuss the basics of natural dyeing, including fiber preparation and plant selection, while leaving plenty of opportunity for you to gather your own flowers for printing from Cait's homegrown wildflower fields. You'll leave this workshop having created an eco-printed silk scarf and organic cotton bandana and with a PDF that will allow you to continue investigating these practices on your own. Get inspired by the magic of coaxing color from cheerful flowers to create works of art on fabric.
This workshop is appropriate for all levels of experience ages 12+. The $115 per person workshop fee covers all materials and supplies to create two eco-printed pieces.
$115.00
Plant to Print: Eco-Printing with Wildflowers
Join me for this hands-on three hour workshop at fellow natural dyer, Cait Nolan's, South Jersey farm-studio located just 30 minutes from Philly. Learn how to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind botanical prints on textiles with freshly picked flowers. This workshop will lead participants through the natural dye process known as "eco-printing" using locally grown dye flowers. We’ll take time to discuss the basics of natural dyeing, including fiber preparation and plant selection, while leaving plenty of opportunity for you to gather your own flowers for printing from Cait's homegrown wildflower fields. You'll leave this workshop having created an eco-printed silk scarf and organic cotton bandana and with a PDF that will allow you to continue investigating these practices on your own. Get inspired by the magic of coaxing color from cheerful flowers to create works of art on fabric.
This workshop is appropriate for all levels of experience ages 12+. The $115 per person workshop fee covers all materials and supplies to create two eco-printed pieces.
$115.00