Join us for a full afternoon exploring the alchemy of natural dye using plant materials to create dreamy prints on silk.
Together, we will explore the colour palette that emerges from a carefully selected sample of flowers, roots, and leaves. We will work with madder and turmeric that are used in ayurvedic healing, marigold petals saved from festivities, along with other plant materials that have been mindfully foraged or recycled from the kitchen.
You will learn how to select dye plants, prepare silk with mordants, and set colour using steam bundling. We will also play with more advanced creative techniques like shifting shades and building layered patterns. At the end of the session you will have made a unique and beautifully hand-crafted silk scarf to take home with you.
Event details:
Date & Time: Sunday 4 October 2pm - 5pm
Location: FibreLab, Studio 1, 121 Monier Rd, Fish Island, London E3 2PS
A hemmed habotai silk scarf is provided and included in the ticket price, along with snacks and beverages, a natural dye instruction booklet, and all dye materials.
Workshop Time-Line
Introduction (30 minutes):
We’ll begin with a warm welcome and introduction to the medicinal and colour properties of plants. We will discuss the principles of mindful foraging, and alchemy of processing natural colour. You will learn what to expect with silk, and how plant choice, sourcing, and mordants shape colour and print.
Printing (1 hour)
Step 1: Preparing your silk: dampening and laying out
Step 2: Choosing and arranging plant matter: leaves, petals, pigments
Step 3: Bundling and leaving to steam-set the colours
Creative Sharing (1hour)
We will let the scarves soak in steam and receive botanical impressions as we engage with a short reading and discussion
We will gather around a range of samples and resources over snacks and beverages, reflecting on different techniques, textiles, and traditions
The Alchemy of Colour (30 min)
Step 5: We will remove our bundles from the steam vat and carefully unravel them to reveal our printed silks, followed by a quick rinse to release the plant matter
Step 6: We will prepare a modifier vat to widen our colour palette
A Step 7: We will dip some or all of our silks into our modifier vat to add additional shades to our unique scarves
This workshop welcomes community members, artists, designers, students, and curious makers alike - anyone drawn to slow colour, traditional craft, and a fully non-toxic creative experience.
This class is suitable for both complete beginners and experienced makers.
It is advisable to bring an apron and wear close-toed shoes.
If you are curious about experimenting with personal items (fabric, or foliage from your garden) you’re very welcome to get in touch ahead of the workshop and we can help you fold your personal items into this experience.
Join us for a full afternoon exploring the alchemy of natural dye using plant materials to create dreamy prints on silk.
Together, we will explore the colour palette that emerges from a carefully selected sample of flowers, roots, and leaves. We will work with madder and turmeric that are used in ayurvedic healing, marigold petals saved from festivities, along with other plant materials that have been mindfully foraged or recycled from the kitchen.
You will learn how to select dye plants, prepare silk with mordants, and set colour using steam bundling. We will also play with more advanced creative techniques like shifting shades and building layered patterns. At the end of the session you will have made a unique and beautifully hand-crafted silk scarf to take home with you.
Event details:
Date & Time: Sunday 4 October 2pm - 5pm
Location: FibreLab, Studio 1, 121 Monier Rd, Fish Island, London E3 2PS
A hemmed habotai silk scarf is provided and included in the ticket price, along with snacks and beverages, a natural dye instruction booklet, and all dye materials.
Workshop Time-Line
Introduction (30 minutes):
We’ll begin with a warm welcome and introduction to the medicinal and colour properties of plants. We will discuss the principles of mindful foraging, and alchemy of processing natural colour. You will learn what to expect with silk, and how plant choice, sourcing, and mordants shape colour and print.
Printing (1 hour)
Step 1: Preparing your silk: dampening and laying out
Step 2: Choosing and arranging plant matter: leaves, petals, pigments
Step 3: Bundling and leaving to steam-set the colours
Creative Sharing (1hour)
We will let the scarves soak in steam and receive botanical impressions as we engage with a short reading and discussion
We will gather around a range of samples and resources over snacks and beverages, reflecting on different techniques, textiles, and traditions
The Alchemy of Colour (30 min)
Step 5: We will remove our bundles from the steam vat and carefully unravel them to reveal our printed silks, followed by a quick rinse to release the plant matter
Step 6: We will prepare a modifier vat to widen our colour palette
A Step 7: We will dip some or all of our silks into our modifier vat to add additional shades to our unique scarves
This workshop welcomes community members, artists, designers, students, and curious makers alike - anyone drawn to slow colour, traditional craft, and a fully non-toxic creative experience.
This class is suitable for both complete beginners and experienced makers.
It is advisable to bring an apron and wear close-toed shoes.
If you are curious about experimenting with personal items (fabric, or foliage from your garden) you’re very welcome to get in touch ahead of the workshop and we can help you fold your personal items into this experience.
