naturally dyed

Workshop 4 - Winter Colours Workshop 6^th - 8^th June

It's midwinter in Melbourne and we want to run a workshop, which concentrates on the beautiful colours achievable with Oak Gall, Walnut and Catechu.  All three dyes can be used with or without a mordant, and all three can be post-mordanted to achieve different (sometimes extremely different) shades. The walnut will hopefully be sourced locally during this year's walnut season. Oak Gall, Walnut and Catechu; browns – all shades from bright tobacco through to deep chocolate – greys, and 100% chemical-free blacks.

This workshop will introduce participants to these three dyestuffs and how to use them to achieve the best results.  Participants will learn how to prepare the dyestuffs, how to prepare and mordant the fabrics, the best techniques for even dyeing, and the roles of mordants and assists in changing the colours of the dyestuffs.  We will be dyeing several sets of samples in the workshop to give participants an idea of how the dyestuffs work on different weights and compositions of cloth.  Once participants understand the basic principles, Aboubakar will move onto using post-mordanting techniques to modify and change the colours of the dyestuffs.  By the end of this workshop, participants will be familiar with mordanting, dyeing and post-mordant techniques  - techniques which are transferable to any number of similar additive dyestuffs.  Participants will also have several sample sets showing the different colours achievable with these dyestuffs and with the different pre- and post-mordants.

These workshops will take place at the studio of textile artist Jude Craig – in Upwey at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges.

This workshop costs $550. 

To book a place, please contact johanna.macnaughtan@gmail.com