Upcoming Workshops
Natural Dyeing 101
Weekend Intensive
Textile Arts Center, Brooklyn
March 16 - 17, 2019
11:00 - 5:00
This two day intensive introduces students to the world of beautiful, accessible, and sustainable botanical dyes. Students learn the basics of selecting and preparing fibers, extracting color from a variety of plant materials, and fixing natural dyes to fabric. We’ll discuss the history of natural dye use, and explore some contemporary applications of pattern. Students will leave with the substantial beginnings of a swatch library documenting a range of fibers, dyes, mordants, and modifiers. Bring along any materials you'd like to experiment with!
Fabric Marbling
One-day Intensive
Textile Arts Center, Brooklyn
Saturday March 23, 2019
11:00 - 5:00
Once one of our younger students described marbling as "magic fighting magic". That's pretty much how we feel about this magical technique. In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of marbling, including how to select fabrics and prepare a marbling vat to create permanent prints. After getting familiar with traditional patterns, students can develop their own palette and style to create a suite of patterns.
Indigo Dyeing
One-day Intensive
Textile Arts Center, Manhattan
Sunday March 24, 2019
11:00 - 5:00
Focusing on plant derived natural indigo, students in this intensive workshop will prepare two indigo vats for dyeing both protein and cellulose fibers. We’ll create an array of swatches and explore resist dyeing techniques reliant on the particular working qualities of indigo. Fabric will be provided, but feel free to bring along some light colored natural fabrics to experiment with
Indigo Dyeing
After Workshop
Textile Arts Center, Manhattan
Thursday April 4, 2019
6:30 - 9:30
In this one night workshop, students learn the basics of creating an all organic indigo dye vat, and how to dye with it. Fabric will be provided, but feel free to bring along some light colored natural fiber fabrics to experiment with (cotton, linen, wool, etc)!
Fabric Marbling
One-day Intensive
BareHands Artisans, Belmar New Jersey
Saturday April 27, 2019
1:00 - 6:00
Fabric marbling is a wonderful blend of monotype printing, repeat pattern development, and color play! In this intensive one-day workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of marbling, including how to select materials and manipulate the chemistry of the marbling tray. We’ll discuss the history behind European marbled decoration as we explore traditional techniques and combed patterns. Students will then develop their own palette and style to create a suite of designs on cotton and silk to take home with them. Pack a lunch and beverage and be ready to delve into this artistic experience!
Large Format Marbling
One-day Intensive
Textile Arts Center, Brooklyn
Saturday May 4, 2019
11:00 - 5:00
In this one day intensive, students will learn the basics of marbling on fabric, including how to prepare a marbling vat and the best pigments to use for permanent prints. We’ll discuss the history behind European marbling traditions, then get colorful creating marbled monoprints. Small studies will be expanded upon in our large 4x4’ marbling vat, where students will have the opportunity to print yardage with their unique patterns! Materials will be provided by TAC, but students may bring 1 yard of additional natural fiber fabric if they wish.
Large Format Marbling
One-day Intensive
Textile Arts Center, Brooklyn
Sunday May 5, 2019
11:00 - 5:00
In this one day intensive, students will learn the basics of marbling on fabric, including how to prepare a marbling vat and the best pigments to use for permanent prints. We’ll discuss the history behind European marbling traditions, then get colorful creating marbled monoprints. Small studies will be expanded upon in our large 4x4’ marbling vat, where students will have the opportunity to print yardage with their unique patterns! Materials will be provided by TAC, but students may bring 1 yard of additional natural fiber fabric if they wish.
Color Theory
After Workshop
Textile Arts Center, Manhattan
Tuesday May 7, 2019
6:30 - 9:30
This course will inspire and inform students to get creative with color! Whether you don’t know the basics or your palette is burned out, we’ll awaken your color sense with a discussion of color theory and materiality. Each student will assess their color preferences and learn how to extrapolate their favorite color harmonies into endless palettes. An overview of pigments, dyes, and binders will give students a springboard for applying theory to practice. Please bring to class 3-5 digital or physical images with colors you love.
Paper Marbling: Color Play
Snow Farm
Williamsburg, Massachusetts
May 11 - 12, 2019
room and board available
Marbling is a delighting blend of monotype printing, repeat pattern development, and color play. In addition to the fundamentals of paper marbling, this course will focus on color theory, the properties of various paints, and how to create unique color stories. Discussions on the history of European marbling will accompany explorations of traditional techniques, combed patterns, and troubleshooting. Students will develop their own palette and style to create a suite of designs to take home.
Suminagashi: Japanese Fabric Marbling
One-day Intensive
BareHands Artisans, Belmar New Jersey
Saturday June 8, 2019
2:00 - 6:00
In this workshop students will explore suminagashi, the Japanese craft of marbling. By manipulating ink floating on the surface of water, students will develop marbled designs inspired by the forms of nature. As we work, we’ll discuss the ideology shaping this historical technique. Each student will develop their own series of patterns using natural forces and materials, and leave with the skills to continue exploring on their own. It will be an extremely satisfying afternoon. Pack a lunch and beverage and be ready to delve into this artistic experience!
Indigo Dyeing
After Workshop
Textile Arts Center, Manhattan
Tuesday June 18, 2019
6:30 - 9:30
In this one night workshop, students learn the basics of creating an all organic indigo dye vat, and how to dye with it. Fabric will be provided, but feel free to bring along some light colored natural fiber fabrics to experiment with (cotton, linen, wool, etc)!
Natural Dyeing 101
Weekend Intensive
Textile Arts Center, Brooklyn
July 13 - 14, 2019
11:00 - 5:00
This two day intensive introduces students to the world of beautiful, accessible, and sustainable botanical dyes. Students learn the basics of selecting and preparing fibers, extracting color from a variety of plant materials, and fixing natural dyes to fabric. We’ll discuss the history of natural dye use, and explore some contemporary applications of pattern. Students will leave with the substantial beginnings of a swatch library documenting a range of fibers, dyes, mordants, and modifiers. Bring along any materials you'd like to experiment with!
Large Format Suminagashi
One-day Intensive
Textile Arts Center, Brooklyn
Saturday July 20, 2019
11:00 - 5:00
Suminagashi is the Japanese art of marbling by floating ink on the surface of water. In this one day intensive, students learn the basics of this centuries-old monoprint technique, including the tools and materials it requires and the ideology shaping suminagashi practice up to the present. Students will develop a suite of patterns on paper and fabric using the natural forces of wind, vibration, and chemical interaction. Small studies will be expanded upon in our large 4x4’ marbling vat, where students will have the opportunity to print yardage with their unique patterns! Materials will be provided by TAC, but feel free to bring up to 1 additional yard of natural fiber fabric to experiment with!
Bundle Dyeing with Botanicals
One-day Intensive
BareHands Artisans, Belmar New Jersey
Sunday July 21, 2019
1:00 - 5:00
Join us for a relaxing and vivid afternoon of bundle dyeing to extract color and pattern from plants. Students will imprint fabric with the botanical dyes of petals, leaves, and roots. We’ll reveal the wealth of color hidden in common dye plants such as coreopsis, marigold, and cosmos. After dyeing a few swatches in a variety of colors, each student pattern their own silk scarf with this fun, ecologically friendly, and aromatherapeutic way to explore botanical color. Students may bring an extra natural fiber fabric or garment they wish to experimental with. Pack a lunch and beverage and be ready to delve into this artistic experience!
Natural Dyeing for Book and Paper Artists
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
August 4 - 10, 2019
room and board available
This workshop introduces students to sustainable sources of color as they extract and fix natural dyes to paper, fabric and thread. You will discover the historical and material sympathy between natural dyes and traditional bookbinding fibers and pay special attention to the use of mordants for lasting color. After applying color and pattern to book materials, participants will move to the bindery to create structures featuring the dyed elements. Students will depart with thorough knowledge of the best practices of natural dyeing, the beginnings of a swatch library, and handmade books incorporating myriad botanical hues. Open to all skill levels.
Registration for all Textile Arts Center classes can be found here.
Contact Natalie for information about private lessons for individuals or small groups.