Eco-printing Workshop – Silk Scarf & Botanical Cards
In Person 2 hours Textiles
Summary
Harness centuries-old practices of extracting colour from plants, minerals and insects. Learning from Derbyshire Dyer Olivia, you will discover the beauty of natural colour. She will lead you through an exploration of ancient dyestuff found all around the world, with examples of just a handful of the beautiful colours you can achieve. Once these basics are covered, the fun part will begin! Turning your hand to dyeing techniques including eco-printing and bundle dyeing, you will print & dye your own silk scarf and use local flora to create your own botanical printed cards. The session is beginner friendly and outcomes will be led by your own creativity, with guidance from Olivia's expert eye.
What you’ll do
The session will begin with an introduction to the fundamentals of natural dyeing. The materials used, how we prepare the fibres and the colours we can achieve. Olivia will then demonstrate and guide you through two different methods of bundling your scarf, using the raw dye materials to create abstract prints on silk. While the bundled scarves are steaming and imparting their dye, you will be introduced to a second technique: eco-printing. You will be introduced to how accessible natural dyeing is, exploring plants found right on your doorstep. Using steam and/or hammers to release their trapped colour and designing your own eco-printed card. Once everything has finished dyeing, you will unwrap and wash your pieces to admire the beautiful natural colours you have created. All items will be wet at the end of the workshop, with bags available to transport them home.
What to bring
If you would prefer to protect your hands from a little staining, you are welcome to bring gloves. The colour will wash off after a day and is only applicable to one type of dyestuff.
What you’ll get
All materials provided. Silk square scarf and high quality card, ready for printing.
Suspended in Sunbeam
Since stumbling upon the beauty of natural colour while at University, Olivia has taught in classrooms, floral studios, museums and festival fields, in an effort to re-enchant people with the natural world around us. She is often found enthusiastically explaining how magical a handful of wood or a smattering of petals can be in the hands of a dyer. Olivia seeks to rekindle the knowledge of this forgotten craft; allowing us to live more connectedly with nature, in the way our ancestors knew to be best.
