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Old Market Manor, Barton Manor
Bristol, BS2 0RL

Artisan natural dye studio, using locally foraged and organically grown natural dyes, bio-regionally sourced cloth and paper and low impact traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques. Offering limited edition gifts, bespoke services and a range of workshops to help creatives transition to using non-toxic practices and connecting communities with Nature using creativity as a medium.

Natural Dye + Print Initiation Course

 

Natural Dye & Print Initiation

SIX - SESSION Course

 
 

Dyeing, Drawing, Painting & Printmaking

With Fabrics, Garments, Yarn and Paper.
⁠

 
 

Expect to gain a good understanding of the following:

  • Making & using natural dyes from whole fresh and dry plants, powder & extract dyes⁠.

  • How to set up and use a simple 3-step organic indigo fructose dye vat.

  • Bundle dyeing with flowers and extracts to make amazing repeat patterns on fabric.

  • Shibori tie dyeing for geometrical repeat patterns on fabric.

  • Making natural dye inks printmaking with natural plant starch binders.

  • Making natural dye inks for drawing, writing & painting withnatural plant starch binders.

  • Mordanting with both plant & non-toxic mineral based mordants

  • The trick to getting bright, rich, long-lasting natural dye results

  • How to make or source and use natural + non-toxic ph-neutral soaps, mordants & modifiers.

  • Using natural modifiers to expand your colour range.

  • How to set up your own natural dye studio, sourcing best practise equipment, and local, sustainable materials.

  • The basics to understanding natural dyes and working with them for dyeing, drawing, painting and printmaking on paper and fabric surfaces.
    ⁠

    Each session is about 30 minutes in length & offers step-by-step video demos, to use at your own pace.

 
 

WHAT DOES EACH SESSION COVER?

Week 1: Sourcing Materials + Equipment + Set Up Your Own Natural Dye Studio
Week 2: Understanding Natural Dyes
Week 3: Indigo Dyeing + Shibori
Week 4: Bundle Dyeing
Week 5: Ink-Making
Week 6: Block-Printing

Each session will cover a different topic, building upon the last.

 
 

Week 1 - Sourcing Materials + Equipment

to Set Up Your Natural Dye Studio

Sustainable fibre sourcing: cellulose + protein (silk, wool, cotton, linen) - local + circular options.
Preparing & mordanting cellulose + protein fabrics (plant & non-toxic mineral mordants).
Learn the best way to source materials which are local, non-toxic & biodegradable, as part of a local and circular textile system.

Equipment lists and sourcing links provided

 
 
 
 

Week 2 - Understanding Natural Dyes

Sustainable natural dye sourcing/ types of naural dyes/responses to different mordants + fibres. You will see samples of different dyed fabrics and receive information to de-mystify how different dyes work in a simplified and easy to understand format.
Brewing dyes from fresh/dry/powdered & extract dyes.
Dyeing mordanted fabric samples to create your own palette of natural dye colours.

 
 
 
 

Week 3 - Indigo dyeing + Shibori

Learn how to set up and use a natural fructose indigo vat, using the simple 123 step recipe created by Michel Garcia. With 3 simple ingrediants - organic indigo, fructose and lime.
Plus information about re-balancing your vat for continued use. These vats will last you many years when treated right.
Over-dyeing - working with th eonly true blue colour from nature to overdye yellows and reds to create the full colour spectrum and complete your colour swatch collection.
Shibori - simple fold and bind resist pattern making techniques, using twine or pegs to create geometic shapes.

 
 
 
 

Week 4: Bundle Dyeing

Create exciting prints from flowers and plant materials without the need for a dye pot! This direct printing technique transfers colours and shapes from petals and leaves to make repeat patterns which you will fall in love with. A quick natural dye technique with incredible results.

 
 
 
 

Week 5 - Ink-Making

Make simple inks from locally foraged plants and extract powders for drawing and painting, (Nettle leaf is used fordemonstration) plus indeliible writing ink using a traditional oak gall and iron recipe.

 
 
 
 

Week 6 - Block-Printing

Transform simple inks into printing mediums suitable for block printing, using plant starches and binding agents.
We use a household and found objects as blcoks for making repeat patterns on fabric and paper. These print mediums can also be adapted for use with screen printing.

 
 

Please allow 1-2 working days for downloadable files to be emailed to the email address registered at check-out.

If you would like to do this course as a group, you can add additional participants, for viewing access of the videos from their own individual devices. For a reduced fee of £100 per person. Simply select the number of additional viewers you require from the drop down menu at check out.

For any queries about this course, please email hello@botanicalinks.com