It's wonderful to learn & make.
Find dye plants in your neighborhood.
Use low-cost or no-cost materials & equipment.
Make beautiful useful things from cloth,
for yourself and others.
Course overview
I've been building my workspace, gathering equipment and materials for years - I still relish those times of being able to work with what I have at hand, to experience the thrill of holding and using the textiles I make under minimalist conditions.
I've developed this 'start-where-you-are' course after decades of studying fiber arts, working in my studio, and teaching students both new and advanced.
You don't need to hold off until you have the 'right' equipment or materials. You can start right away, with what's already around you. As you proceed your life will become richer - more connected to the amazing beauty of nature near you, more able to connect with your people using the timeless power of handmade textiles.
This is cloth with a calling.
In this course we will first gather the tools and materials needed to create a fully functional natural dyer's kitchen.
From there we will prepare cloth, collect dyes, and dive into dyeing.
Finally, we will explore a few options for turning our newly dyed cloth into beautiful and useful textiles: a foraging bag, face mask, and hot mitts.
This class builds a foundation, preparing students to continue partnering with the natural world and to imbed more meaning into their clothing and everyday objects.
Example Curriculum
- Mordant Module Overview
- Making the Mordant Solution (8:55)
- Mordanting the cloth with the solution (8:52)
- Fixing Mordant for Success! (8:45)
- Review for Understanding
- Bonus: Understanding the pH Scale (3:09)
- Bonus: Making pH Paper with Red Cabbage (6:09)
- Community comments & questions about mordanting
- Module Three Objectives Overview
- Connecting to the Land (6:19)
- Ethical harvesting
- What is a Naturalist Dyer?
- Kitchen Foraging
- Growing dye plants (4:17)
- Traditional Dyes of Commerce (2:26)
- Wheel of the Year
- Lets take a nature walk - and meets some trees (10:59)
- What the Water Tells Us
- Bonus: Special Fermentation method for woody dyestuffs
- Foraging comments and questions
- Objectives for Plain Dyeing
- If you can make tea, you can dye. (7:08)
- Dock: Harvesting & Dyeing (10:30)
- Dyeing Demos (32:34)
- Putting it all in Jars (16:49)
- Subtleties to up your Dye Game
- Shapeshifting The Dyebaths (6:57)
- Medicinal dyeing
- Bonus Round 1: Eggshell Calcium Carbonate
- Bonus Round 2: Dyeing with Annatto (10:58)
- Plain Dyeing comments and questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the course refundable?
Yes, in the first 30 days. If you end up choosing this option, I would really be grateful if you'd email me with how the course could have been better for you.
What materials do I need to complete this course?
Look at the supply list, everything is listed. Dyes you use will vary depending on where you live.
Will I still be able to find plants if I don’t live in the Pacific Northwest?
Yes. The plant list contains a wide assortment of plants that are common throughout North America, many which are endemic to Eurasia. Kitchen dyes are available globally.
I don’t have a sewing machine, can I still make the projects?
Yes! You can either dye small things which don’t require additional sewing, or try your hand at hand stitching. All of the patterns are very simple, and can be hand stitched.
When does the course start?
The introduction and first lesson are available upon registering, the course begins in earnest after the enrollment period ends. New material will be unveiled each week for 9 weeks.
I am in an apartment, can I do this course?
Yes. I have dyed things in all kinds of circumstances, including when we lived in a small apartment with a truly tiny kitchen.
How much time will it take to finish the course?
Once the enrollment period has ended, and the course begins, new sections will open each week for 9 weeks. I estimate that you will need 2-3 hours to complete each section. Some processes require overnight drying or soaking, which impacts things somewhat, if you hope to complete multiple sections at once.
What if I can’t start the class right away? Will I be behind?
Students are encouraged to go at their own pace - the material will be waiting for you, and I will continue to answer questions in all of the sections during the run of the course.
How long do I have to complete the course?
You have one year from your enrollment to complete the course. Students will likely be at different places, as it is a self paced course. Some students may wish to spend more time on certain sections, others may wish to watch all of the sections before they start work. Questions will be answered a few times a week while the course is actively unfolding. I will continue to answer questions at least weekly after the 8 weeks.
Let's Start!