Natural Dyes Color Library

If you’re interested in working with natural dyes, but don’t want to lose the punchy, vibrant colors that commercial dyes offer, this workshop is for you. WildCraft’s resident textile educator, Hannah Watson has designed a class where students will work with 6 dried/powdered dyes, (cochineal, osage, weld, madder, sappanwood and cutch) sampled on 3 fibers, (silk,cotton & wool), prepared with 2 mordants (iron & alum) to create a total of 42 color samples. Still with us? There’s a reason we titled this class, “Create a Color Library”! 

Students will experience the full process of preparing fibers for the dye bath, weighing and measuring dyes, and of course, dying fabric. Hannah will offer a bonus demonstration on how to use post-dye modifiers such as citric acid and soda ash to create additional range and depth in color. Students will leave with a naturally dyed silk scarf and cotton bandana, a detailed craftbook full of recipes and instructions as well as 42+ swatches, to add to (or kick off!) their color library.