Discover the rich world of natural color in this four-week introduction to natural dyeing on cloth. Through hands-on practice, you’ll learn the essential processes that make natural dyes both beautiful and long-lasting. We’ll cover fiber sourcing, proper cleaning and scouring techniques, and best practices for pretreating fabric with tannins and mordants, all tailored to the specific natural dyes being used. We'll extract dye baths from a range of materials, from kitchen scraps and locally grown plants to traditional dyes with long histories of use. We’ll experiment with color variation through pH and iron modifiers, and incorporate shibori resist techniques to create layers of pattern and visual interest. Along the way, we'll discuss the history, science, and sustainability of natural dyes, gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between plants, textiles, and color. 

By the end of the class, you’ll have created a collection of naturally dyed fabrics. Additionally, you’ll transform a cotton or linen item of your choice—such as a shirt, baby onesie, or tea towel—from start to finish using natural dyes.