Local Color: Botanical Printing & Dyeing with Lisa Binkley
Thurs-Sat, September 21-23, 2023 | 9am-4pm all 3 days | Deadline to register: Sept 14 by 4pm
$395 class fee + $30 kit fee | Ages 18+
Dyeing with plant pigments and other natural materials (insects, lichen, etc.) has been practiced and refined for thousands of years—for as long as humans have made cloth and wished to beautify it. Printing with plants has been practiced for generations through such traditions as Easter egg decoration and as a way to create pattern and imagery on fabric.
During this workshop students learn about the history of dyeing and printing with plants; how to prepare fabric for dyeing and printing; ways to secure and alter dye color on cloth; and many ways to get patterns and images on fabric with a variety of mordants and plant materials. We begin by gathering our printing and dyeing plants from the area surrounding the workshop (and at home). Then we explore dyeing solid and mottled colors with botanical pigments both individually and in combination; printing plant materials onto fabrics; eco-printing and dyeing together. These fabrics will all have a distinct connection to the place and time of the workshop.
Sample botanical printings on fabric by Lisa Binkley:
Supply List:
* Up to 3 yards total of undyed fabric to be dyed and/or printed. Bring primarily plant (cellulose) fabrics: cotton, linen, rayon/viscose, hemp; a blend of natural fibers (no synthetics), or some of each. Some silk is also okay. We will not be using wool in this workshop. Fabrics will need to be fully cleaned/scoured ahead of time. Instructions for doing this will be sent out in advance of the workshop.
* Up to 3 yards of plain, undyed, clean natural fabrics to be used as dye/modifier “blankets” (muslin, other woven cotton, cotton flannel, French terry cloth, or vintage linens work well for this purpose; I especially love French terry cloth and cotton flannel). You should have at least as many yards of “blanket” fabric as you have fabric for printing; more can be helpful.
* Fabric scissors
* A measuring tape or long ruler (approx. 24″)
* 1-3+ pairs of fitted vinyl or rubber gloves
* Clothes that can get messy, as well as closed-toed shoes
* A spool of strong but not bulky, undyed string or sturdy, non-stretch yarn such as crewel embroidery yarn (white or off white)
* Several fitted masks (we’ll definitely wear these when handling powders)
* A pen or pencil and note pad for taking notes
* A variety of leaves you love; good options for printing include: all kinds of oak leaves, all kinds of maple leaves (especially Japanese maple leaves), catalpa leaves; peony leaves, rose leaves, raspberry leaves, strawberry leaves, eucalyptus leaves and seeds; fern fronds; perennial geranium leaves; other thin but sturdy and heavily-veined leaves.
In the event a workshop is cancelled due to low enrollment, you will be contacted immediately and refunded entirely. Please review our cancellation policy here.
COVID-19 Update *Subject to change based on most current CDC guidelines
Here at River Arts, your safety is the most important thing for us. We plan to run in-person studio classes, but with the following safety precautions added:
- A limited number of students in each class
- All students will work at their own 6ft table, maintaining social distancing
- Masks will be enforced according to CDC recommendations and local mandates at the time of the workshop
- Studio staff will clean all surfaces at the end of each day.
- Disposable masks and hand sanitizer will be available to all students free of charge
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