WORKSHOP – The Home Natural Dyer Course – Kul-Kul Farm

Learn how to create natural dyes from plants during this 3 day practical workshop. Unlock the colour potential of plants that exist all around you; in the forest, on roadsides, from your garden and leftover food scraps in your kitchen.

Learn the natural dyeing techniques of bundle dyeing and immersion dyeing. Bundle dyeing is a method of dyeing and creating designs with foraged leaves, flowers, seed pods and bark to print various shapes and colours on fabric and paper using the plant material’s own dye, pigments and tannins. Each plant is unique, and the magic of nature plays the most vital role in this process, which makes the result of each creation a one-of-a-kind piece. We will also be using a technique called immersion dyeing. We’ll make a pot of dye, simmer and strain the dyestuff and immerse our fibres into a dye solution pot.

You’ll get:

• The foundation and wisdom of Natural Dyeing
• Introduction to immersion plant dyeing and eco printing techniques
• Ethical fibres for natural dyeing
• Dyers’ equipment and tools
• Where and how to identify local plants for dyeing
• How to prepare and store fabrics, papers, dyes and plant matters for natural dyeing
• Pre-treatment and the mordanting process
• Mindful design considerations
• How to make your own plant-dyed and bundle-dyed creations
• Post-dyeing treatment and safe disposal
• How to grow your own dye garden at home
• The ripple effect of slow textiles

During the workshop each participant will naturally dye and create their own:

• 3 x Scarves
• 1 x Tote Bag
• 1 x Cloth
• Dyer’s Diary
• Dye Log

Your Take-Home Dyer’s Starter Kit:

• At the end of the workshop you will be gifted a home dyer’s starter kit to include:
• Organic Cotton T-Shirt
• Linen Drawstring Pouch
• Dye plants
• Natural soapnut
• Organic/Natural mordant
• A Natural Dyeing Handbook

Also included in the workshop:

• Farm tour
• 3 x Organic farm-to-table lunches
• Herbal teas and infusions, coffee, fruit, and snacks

Resident Teacher & Artist
Novieta Tourisia has been a maker since she was a child, and has practiced the crafts of the traditional vignette, hand-embroidery, and paper-crafting. Her natural dyeing journey started in 2013, where she learned the Indonesian traditional dyeing techniques from Mama Ellen, a mother, dyer, and weaver in Central Sulawesi. Novieta spent 2 years learning traditional dyeing techniques in Sulawesi and her time there inspired her to create ‘Cinta Bumi Artisans’ her local enterprise that focuses on creating ethical handmade, naturally dyed goods by fusing indigenous wisdom, artisanal craftsmanship, and sustainability. Through Cinta Bumi Artisans Novieta has also been leading workshops on eco printing, plant dyeing, and natural crafting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0VYxQe_v8