Plant dyes are historical, going back centuries. Long held notions of our ancestors wearing blah beige and dirt colors has been proven to be very incorrect. There are written recipes for obtaining colors from flowers, roots, and leaves along with discovered artifacts that have retained their beautiful colors. We will be using grown, foraged, and minimally processed dyestuffs to create a color-wheel on natural fiber samples while also learning about the mordant process to help keep our samples light and wash fast. This is an introductory class and open to all skill levels. Some math and science are involved!

Please bring scissors, pen, notebook, apron to protect clothing and wear sturdy shoes.

Kipp has been involved in the world of fiber ever since she was a child. Sewing has been her passion, but any type of fiber-work has always been foremost. Several years ago, she made the decision to start working more sustainably, giving up non-natural fibers and dyes. Cottons, linen, hemp, wool and silk she uses exclusively for her work are now dyed with natural dyes derived from plants (and a couple of bugs) using benign processes so as not to add to the pollution of our home; the earth and water we depend upon. Her happiest results are in sharing the processes with those willing to learn and continue creating in their own way.

Level: All Levels

Materials Fee: $35 for mordants, dye ingredients, fiber samples and more payable to The Clearing

Kipp will contact students prior to class.

Use my contact form to express your interest in the class, please include the class and location in the your email. This does not confirm your registration, but I will follow up and send you the necessary information as soon as it becomes available.