The Color Blue: Dyeing Your Own Clothing with Natural Indigo Dye
Another great workshop hosted by Lucy of Tall Cactus Studio!
Bring your own clothing to dip in the indigo dye vat!
After an introduction and a little indigo dye history, participants will will have the opportunity to take a blouse, a t-shirt, or a top and apply resists in such a way to obtain one-of- a- kind blue and white patterns. This is your time to be a designer and experience the unexpected results that come from using the Shibori method of binding fabric with resists!
We will first “wet out” the garments so that the fabric can absorb the dye. Then guest presenter, Lucy, will help participants bind the garment with resists like marbles, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, and clothes pins (among others). Then it’s time to dip the garment in the dye bath and see the color change before your eyes. We will do several rounds of dipping in the dye vat to achieve a desirable shade of indigo blue.
Preparation prior to class: Bring 2 pieces of your own clothing to dye!
· Acceptable fabric types –natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool and silk are best. Semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon and viscose work - just not as well as the natural fibers do. Limit Spandex to no more than 5%.
· Absolutely no polyester or nylon – they will not absorb the dye.
· Color: white, beige and light pastels. Very light pastels in pink, yellow and green work best.
· Solid colors only – no patterns.
· Choose 2 pieces of worn and well-washed clothing. Please choose from sleeveless, short sleeve or long sleeve tops / t-shirts. Try to avoid thick wool fabrics.
What to wear – this is very important:
You will get blue dye on your feet, your shoes, your hands to a little extent, and your clothing. It just can’t be helped. So wear your grubby clothes – we will all look the same. Note: we use thick rubber gloves to dip into the dye vat. But, when you are un-wrapping your pieces, you will probably get some blue dye on your hands. There is no ill effect from this, but I will have extra rubber gloves if you prefer.
During dye soaking time, participants will be treated with light drinks and hors d'oeuvres and enjoy a visit to the flower fields to pick a mason jar bouquet to take home.
Buy Tickets
A signed waiver is required for this workshop, please print it out and bring it with you.
This is your time to be a designer and experience the unexpected results that come from using the Shibori method of binding fabric with resists! You will have the opportunity to bring your own blouse and apply resists in such a way to obtain one-of- a- kind blue and white patterns.