Natural Dyeing Food to Forest

Natural Dyeing Food to Forest

Friday Nov 5, 6pm – Sunday Nov 7, 10am

Natural dyeing is a process that unearths the secondary colors within plants. It is a purposeful way to discover the vibrancy within overlooked, under-appreciated, or often wasted natural byproducts. In this course, we begin to make connections with the weeds, invasive species, and native plants who can light up our visual fields. We’ll begin the day by making breakfast, transforming elements of our compost into dye baths.

We’ll take a walk through the forest to search for abundant dye plants, learning about ethical harvest. We’ll also look for invasive dye plants to remove and process. Students will learn to identify other common dye plants for future sustainable harvest and use. Students can expect to learn the basics of the natural dye process: scouring, mordanting, dyeing and modifying fabrics.

Each student will leave the class with a naturally dyed garment or textile from each dye pot, a handout with the notes and dye recipes from the weekend, and access to resources for deepening natural dye knowledge of both wild and cultivated plants. Participants are encouraged to bring three to four of their own garments or natural fibers to die. Handkerchiefs for shibori dyeing will be provided alongside other natural fibers for dye experiments.

https://www.blackoakwilderness.com/event-details/natural-dyeing-food-to-forest