Intro to Botanical Printing and Dyeing with Lisa Binkley
This class is currently sold out, but we are offering a waiting list. Email Kristina at kcoopman(at)riverartsinc.org to be added!
Fri-Sun, March 12-14, 2021| 9am-4pm all three days
$375/person + $35 kit fee (Members save 10% on workshops!)
Ages 16+
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, in the past few decades, as a way to create pattern and imagery on fabric.
During this 3-day workshop students learn about the history of dyeing and printing with plants; how to prepare fabric/fiber 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 plant materials. We begin by gathering as many of our printing and dyeing plants as possible from the area surrounding the workshop (depending on location and time of year). Then we explore dyeing solid colors with botanical pigments both individually and in combination; printing plant material onto fabrics; eco-printing and dyeing together; and using some simple shibori techniques in conjunction with eco-printing and dyeing.
Students will dye and print pieces of fabric as well as a silk scarf already hemmed and ready to dye, print, and wear or give as a gift.
Kit fee includes: scarf blank, dyes, fabric swatches, and a booklet about the techniques and materials we’ll explore in class.
Each day will include a lunch break. Please bring food or be prepared to purchase (grocery store is within walking distance. Alas, the Blue Spoon Cafe is no more…)
COVID-19 Update
Here at River Arts, your safety is the most important thing for us. We plan to run studio classes, but with the following safety precautions added:
- A limit of 7 students in each class
- All students will work at their own 6ft table, maintaining social distancing
- Studio staff will clean and disinfect all surfaces at the beginning and end of each day. The studio is only used for classes, so no other people will be in the space between classes.
- Latex-free rubber gloves, disposable masks, and hand sanitizer will be available to all students free of charge
- Face masks required for students and instructor
- We’ve also updated our cancellation policy
We plan to keep these measures in place through the summer at least, and maybe into the fall depending on where things are at. It’s very much a day-by-day process at this point. Thank you!
