Natural Dyes
International
HCR74, Box 21912, El Prado
New Mexico 87529
USA
800-665-9786

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Workshops
on natural dyes
Exhibits
of natural dyed textiles
Dye Events
& conferences
Dye Instructions
teachers & classes
Supply Sources
for dyes & mordants
Dyed Textiles
clothing & weaving
natural dye & textile
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Purposes

President
Robin Collier

We are a new international nonprofit organized to research natural dyes and pigments, share information and educate the public about the history of this rich tradition and the use of these natural materials.

Past Natural Dye Workshops

If you wish to add your workshop to our current workshop page, email

Events | Exhibits | Workshops

Click on the links below to go to more detailed information about past workshops.

August 4 -7, 2005 Tacoma, Washington USA
Color Me Color You - Association of NorthwestWeavers' Guilds

Aug 10, 2005 9-5 Natural Dye Workshop Colorado Springs, CO USA
Aug 17, 2005 10-3 Indigo Dyeing - Table Rock LLamas Fiber Arts Studio

August 22 - 26, 2005 Coupeville, Washington, USA
Michelle Wipplinger Workshop
Advanced Mark Making: Plant Dyes, Erosion, Infusions and Ochres

August 23 - 28 2005 Haslev, Denmark
12th International Fungi and Fiber Symposium

September 2-5, 2005 Portland, Oregon USA
Aurora Silk's 3 Day Natural Dye Workshop with Cheryl Kolander

Sept. 10, 2005 Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
Natural Dye Workshop with Gina Levesque

September 13 2005 Japan World Expo 2005, Okazaki, Japan
Workshop on Natural Dyes

September17, 2005 The Textile Museum, Washington DC USA
The Root of Wild Madder: Chasing the History, Mystery, and Lore of Persian Carpets

Sept. 25 - Nov 18, 2005 Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina, USA
Donna Brown - Creating Fiber Art with Natural Dyes

Tuesday September 27 - Thursday September 29, 2005 Taos, New Mexico USA
Taos Wool Festival - 3 day Natural Dye Workshop by Gail Denton

Sept. 30, Oct. 1 & 2, 2005 Flavia's Place B&B, Mitchell, South Dakota, USA
Indigo & Natural Dye Workshop with Jay Rich

October 14 - 29, 2005 Granville Island, Vancouver, BC Canada
Maiwa Textile Symposium Pattern & Place
Pre symposium workshops Sep 23 - Oct 9 Post Symposium workshops Nov 5 - 20

October 24-27, 2005 Decorah, Iowa, USA
"Anyone Can Dye Workshop" by Karen Diadick Casselman

March 18 - 21, 2005 Portland, Oregon USA
Aurora Silk's 3 Day Natural Dye Workshop with Cheryl Kolander

April 2 to 4, 2005 Tucson, Arizona USA
Jane Hoffman - Expand Your Color Palette with Natural Dyes

June 2 - 5, 2005, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
Uncovering The Surface - 13th International Surface Design Conference

June 7-15, 2005 Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The World Batik Conference

June 21- 25, 2005 Okinawa, Japan
2nd Natural Dyes and Pigments Conference

June 5, 2005 Coloma, California, USA
DYE HARD: Anni Redding

June 21- 25, 2005 Okinawa, Japan
2nd Natural Dyes and Pigments Conference

July 6, 7, 8, 2005 Santa Cruz, California USA
Workshop by Michelle Wipplinger
Foundation in Natural Dyes: Mordanting & Natural Dyeing with Earthues Extract

July 9, 2005 El Pueblo History Museum, Pueblo , Colorado USA
Workshop: Natural Dyes - The Colors of the Frontier

July 16-17, 2005 Seattle, Washington USA
Workshop by Michelle Wipplinger
Mysterious Blue and Passionate Purple

July 12-17, 2005 Lansdowne, Virginia, USA
Mid Atlantic Fiber Association Conference

July 28 - 31, 2005 Durango, Colorado, USA
Intermountain Weavers Conference

July 31, 2005 Dixon California USA (West of Sacramento)
Dyeing Workshop Natural Dye Extracts & Oxides by Bjo Trimble

A weaving conference with some natural dye workshops which we have listed below.
Visit http://www.northwestweavers.org for a complete schedule of events & registration information.

Aug 1 - 5 9 am - 4 pm 115-MAJ Katazome: Japanese Stencil Dyeing - John Marshall
This lively and compact course is designed as an intensive introduction to the traditional arts of katazome and tsutsugaki, Japanese paste-resist dyeing. An abundance of antique and contemporary samples will be presented to help participants understand the history and development of this versatile process. In addition, participants will be guided through the entire process of dyeing silk in the ancient Japanese traditions. The course includes making our own natural dyes (synthetic dyes will also work), our own resist from rice and bran, carving stencils from hand made mulberry paper, and much, much more. Each participant will be able to leave with a completed length of silk suitable for clothing, quilts or wall hanging. Fee: $140 Skill level: All

Fri Aug 5 9 am -4 pm 411-AYR Image Transfer and Dyeing, Naturally - Rosalind Aylmer
In this multifaceted workshop, students will learn a variety of techniques for transferring images to fabric, and will dye with copper and rust, which produce beautiful, fast colors with relative ease. We will use the sun for printing on painted fabric, and in the blueprinting process. We will explore image transfer with solvents, transfer medium, and iron on transfers, and will discuss printer and color copy transfers using commercially available products. We will also look at applications using Bubble Jet Set. All in all, a jam-packed, fun workshop, with plenty of hands-on techniques for everyone. Fee: $12 Skill level: All

Fri Aug 5 9 am -4 pm 411-TAY Nui-Shibori: Indigo Tie Dye with Stitching - Yukie Taylor
Create floral or geometric designs using the techniques of Nui Shibori. Preparation of the cloth includes a combination of pulled stitches and knotted threads tied through the fabric in various ways. Dipping the fabric in the traditional Japanese Indigo bath and exposure to the air will highlightthe designs in shades of blue and white. Both general "all over" patterns and detailed central designs are possible with proper planning. Fee: $15 Skill level: Intermediate

Sat Aug 6, 9 Noon 500-AYR The Magic of Indigo, or The Care and Feeding of Your Indigo Vat
Rosalind Aylmer The magic of indigo lies in the transformation of the cloth from white through yellow and green to blue, before our eyes! So mysterious is this transformation that ancient cultures sacrificed to the gods to ensure a successful indigo vat. In this workshop students will learn the secrets of starting, maintaining and reviving a successful indigo vat, whether synthetic or natural. Through examples and slides, students will also be exposed to some of the wonderful resist patterning techniques used by cultures around the world. Fee: $6 Skill level: All

Sat Aug 6, 1 - 4 pm 600-TAY Shibori-zome and Itajime: Tie Dye and Clamping Yukie Taylor
This class will cover use of the board press and simple tie dye techniques. Prepare a piece of fabric prior to dipping it in the traditional indigo bath by folding the cloth and clamping sections with boards or other flat objects. Other tie dye techniques using strings, rubber bands around marbles, folded fabric around chopsticks can be explored. Lovely geometric designs in shades of blue and white will appear once the fabric is dipped and exposed to air. There are many design variations possible with this traditional Japanese technique. Fee: $15 Skill level: Beginner

6520 Shoup Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80908 USA
719-495-7747 Fax: 719-495-5924
tablerockllamas@msn.com
http://www.tablerockllamas.com

Learn various techniques of creating unusual background patterning on silk, wool and cotton cloth. A full range of natural dyes will be available including such exotics as weld, safflower, a specialty indigo, and sticklac. Earthues has developed over 50 new colors of earth ochres and pigments that will be used to print, stencil and paint marks to create textural relief and luminous images on the surface. The course will feature fabric techniques and the process of erosion, oxidation, mudding, pounding, stamping, staining, grinding (surikomi), curing and fermenting using a variety of commonplace and exotic natural materials. We will explore fabric layering, fusing, and shrinking using innovative methods, materials, and interesting substrates of wool, silk, and organic cotton and lace in 2-yard lengths. Level: Advanced, Material Fee: $95, Cost: $395

For more info contact the Coupeville Arts Center 360-678-3396 FAX 360-678-7420
15 NW Birch St. Coupeville, WA 98239
Email: info@coupevillearts.org http://www.coupevillearts.org

The 12th International Fungi and Fibre symposium will be arranged at Haslev Udvidede Højskole from August 23 to August 28, 2005. The site is located in Haslev a small town 70 km south of Copenhagen. Haslev is accessible by train from Copenhagen Airport. The symposium is organized by the Danish Mycological Society which in 2005 is celebrating its 100th anniversary. More information on other activities in the symposium.

Complete information, including a registration form & fees may be found on the web at http://theochem.ki.ku.dk/~pgs/fungifibre/fungifibre.html

Workshops

• Dyeing of wool, silk and fabric using fungi from the nordic countries ( Cortinarius semisanguineus, C.sanguineus, C.malicorius, Hapalopilus rutilans, Tapinella atrotomentosa, Phaeolus schweinitzii, Ichnoderma benzoinum, Sarcodon imbricatus, Telephora palmata, Pisolithus arrhizus). Experiments with varying pH, and using different mordants
• Paper making, making of pigment and painting
• Tablet weaving
• Tapestry weaving
• Felt techniques
• Broomstick Crochet
• Drawing
• Old scandinavian viking ribbon technique
• Demonstration and determination of fungi, use of microscopes, and preservations of fresh fungi for later use.

Learn hands-on about natural dyes and natural dyeing in my fun, in-depth workshops. The workshops cover dyeing with Indigo, Fustic, Madder, Brazilwood, Logwood, and Cochineal, mordants, choice of yarns and fiber, techniques and principles of natural dyes, as well as the ever-popular paint-dyeing with natural dyes.

Aurora Silk's now offers workshops in their new cottage in Portland. Pick up and drop off at the airport or train station is included. Workshop is from Friday evening through Monday afternoon, (with option to stay overnight Monday and fly out on Tuesday). Includes meals - all meals are organic, and vegan or vegetarian or other dietary needs can be met. Spartan but comfortable "sleep-over" accommodations included. Very individualized, with maximum of six students. Cost, including all materials, book, meals, lodging, etc.: $440 per student.

Aurora Silk http://www.aurorasilk.com
5806 N. Vancouver Ave, Portland, OR 97217 USA 503-286-4149

Techniques of natural dyeing will be taught using traditional methods. Students will learn the difference between a dye and a stain. Mordants and their effects on dyes will be taught. Each student will create a dye notebook of samples to take with them. Dyes used will include, but are not limited to, indigo, madder, Osage orange, black walnut, sumac and pokeberry. This all day workshop will give us time to utilize no less than ten dye dyes in our pots. Although natural dyes can be used on a variety of materials we will be dyeing 100% wool yardage in class. Participants are encouraged to bring samples of their own art medium (cotton, reed, other types of animal fibers) to drop in the pot. There will be no fewer than 10 dyes in our dye pots. Yardage and some dyes will be available for purchase.

Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 am - 5 pm, Class fee $25, Supply fee $12.

City Parks and Recreation Department
Hours: 8 am - 5 pm; Monday - Friday
315 E. 9th P.O. Box 1449, Stillwater, OK 74076
405-747-8084 405-747-8060 (fax)

A dyeing workshop will be held in Okazaki (1 hour from the Expo) on September 13. (Additional information available in August.) These are in conjuction with the Natural Dye Exhibit at the Expo.

http://www.gem.hi-ho.ne.jp/shikari/engbien.htm

From the remote villages of Afghanistan and Iran, down the ancient trade routes traveled for centuries, to the bazaars of Tehran and the markets of the Western world, every Persian carpet has a story to tell. Told in exquisite prose befitting one of the world's loveliest art forms, The Root of Wild Madder offers accessible explanations of the patterns, knots and origin of Persian carpets. Using references from his book, Brian Murphy will provide practical information about carpets, while exploring the artistic, religious and cultural complexities of this enigmatic region. Brian Murphy is an award-winning journalist, a foreign correspondent for The Associated Press, and author of The New Men.

Fee: $7/members; $10/non-members Advance registration required. (202) 667-0441, ext. 64.
The Textile Museum
2320 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008-4088 202-667-0441
http://www.textilemuseum.org

This precedes the Taos Wool Festival held Oct 1 & 2, 2005

Skill Level: Beginners welcome as long as they are familiar with safe dye procedures. Max. Students: 10
It is not recommended for pregnant women to take this workshop.

Description: 3 day workshop. Come explore the world of nature as a source of dye stuffs for protein fibers like wool, mohair and other animal fibers. You will learn how to use these natural dye materials as dye extracts, and will be mordanting with non-toxic mordants to fix and subtly alter the shades. On the third day you will combine various dye baths with each other to create even more colors, and will explore over-dyeing and indigo as well.

Cost: $295 Materials Fees: $60. Students will go home with at least 60 color samples, a full palette including recipes for duplication. Instructor will supply appropriate face masks. Students Bring: Note taking materials, rubber gloves and ìoldî clothes in case we make a mess.

http://www.taoswoolfestival.org/workshops.html email: info@taoswoolfestival.org
registration form in Adobe pdf format

Students will learn how to dye with natural dyes derived mainly from organic plant materials. Various types of indigo will be introduced and several ways of application methods will be presented. Cotton, wool, silk, rayon, and yarn will be used for this class for beginning through advanced dyers. We will uncover the mysteries of indigo, wode, madder, safflower, colored corn, and other natural dye stuffs. Jay has a wealth of experience and knowledge and his workshops are intensive, fun, and informative.

605-995-1562 leliagui@mit.midco.net http://sdartists.net/members/lguilbert/
Lelia Guilbert at 515 East 3rd Avenue, Mitchell, SD, 57301

Explore in depth the natural dye process and eco-friendly choices for discharge, resist dyeing, printing, and painting with contemporary natural dye extracts. Students will develop a personal, natural dye color palette. They may focus on dyeing yarns to create hand-wovens or they may work with cloth for making wearable art, quilting, or wall pieces. Techniques include dyeing, painting, shibori, resists, printing, stenciling, discharge, silkscreen (basic and improvisational), and personal imagery. All levels, however basic weaving skills are required if you wish to weave and basic sewing skills are required if you wish to create wearables. Note: This class is taught in a third-floor walkup studio.

Donna Brown: Studio artist, teacher of natural dyeing and art cloth, former owner of a natural dye company; teaching: 2002 Color Congress, 2003 Surface Design conference.

NDI note: It would appear that this workshop requires enrollment in Penland School at a full cost (with room & board) of about $5,000 for about 8 weeks. Some scholarships & work-study are available. Contact the school for more information.

Penland School of Crafts
Post Office Box 37, Penland NC 28765-0037
Phone: 828.765.2359 Fax: 828.765.7389 Email office@penland.org

http://www.penland.org/classes/fall_spring/fall.html

This is more than a month of lectures and workshops on many different aspects of textiles. We have listed here only those workshops directly related to natural dyes. Visit the Maiwa webpage to see the other events and for details of registration and accommodation. A list of natural dyes lectures at the symposium, which include 2 by Jenny Balfour-Paul, can be found on our events page.

Oct 15-16 Mudprinting • Instructor: Michele Wipplinger Maiwa Design Studio (Odlum Dr.)
$285 (includes $85 lab fee) 10 am-4 pm Sat Oct15, 10 am-4 pm Sun Oct 16

Michele returns this year to give her outstanding class on mudprinting. This two-day class is designed to help the student understand the rich assortment of colour that can be gathered and brewed from the earth's crust. Colour can be found in the most unlikely places. Clay-like mud pools that appear after a heavy rain can be dried and strained to yield pigments for cloth. The darker the mud the richer the mineral deposit and the more interesting the colour for printing.

This class will explore the yellow, orange, and red ochres like those found throughout France (including the caves at Lascaux) to create brilliant hues and a sense of light. An historic selection of exotic mineral pigments will be used to yield the intense violet, blue, and aqua colours associated with lapis hematite and turquoise.

The workshop will focus on cloth preparation and pigment/mud application; the role of tannins to intensify the colour; the process of curing cloth; the appropriate media for painting and stenciling; and the specialty techniques used to layer colour and images with mineral-infused pigments. Instruction in mixing pigments will allow the student to achieve an extended range of exotic colours. Pre-cut stencils will be used to create artwork on antique lines.

A full notebook with fabric images, instructions, and an inspiring range of samples of muds, ochres, and mineral pigments will be provided.

Oct 19-21 The Art of Mud Cloth • Instructor: Michele Wipplinger Maiwa Design Studio (Odlum Dr.)
$325 (includes $100 lab fee) 7 pm-10 pm Wed Oct 19, 10 am-4 pm Thurs Oct 20,10 am-4 pm Fri Oct 21

Inspired by the Bogolanfini mud cloth of Mali, this workshop will explore some of the traditional methods used by the Bamana artists to create patterns on cloth. This class will use adaptations of traditional motifs which are richly imbued with cultural symbolism and soul. Each person will create personal motif combinations of their own, printed on hand-woven cotton cloth. An array of traditional Bogolanfini textiles will be available for study.

The colour will be achieved using a variety of earth muds and pigments which are rich in iron oxide. We will use these in combination with tannin derived from bark and fruit pod infusions, which can be applied to the cloth before the mudding process. There will be options for the use of additional natural dyes as well as stenciling, painting, and colour removal. Each student will receive a packet of traditional tools to use in creating their cloth and a small notebook of Bogolanfini fabric swatches. A full notebook with fabric samples, images, and instructions will be provided. Students will be guided through a complete project and the creation of many reference samples.

Nov 5 - 6 Indigo/Shibori • Instructor: Natalie Grambow Maiwa Design Studio (Odlum Dr.)
$150 (includes $50 lab fee) 10 am-4 pm Sat Nov 5, 10 am-4 pm Sun Nov 6

With magnificent blue colour effects, indigo has thrilled artisans of almost all cultures and times. The transformation of cloth dipped in indigo suggests a magical potency recognized by craftspeople all over the world. When combined with the many variations of shibori resist methods, the results can range from a simple stitched patterning to an elegant three-dimensional pleating.

This highly focused two-day workshop presents the opportunity to connect with dyers of the past as students learn how to make and maintain an indigo vat. Students will also create a beautiful array of patterns and effects on cotton and silk fibres using shibori methods such as stitched resist, tie dye, and polewrap. Students will complete the workshop with a finished project on silk. All projects will be done on 100% natural fibres using natural indigo.

Nov 11 - 13 Natural Dyes • Instructor: Charllotte Kwon Maiwa Design Studio (Odlum Dr.)
$225 (includes $80 lab fee) 7 pm-10 pm Fri Nov 11, 10 am-4 pm Sat Nov12, 10 am-4 pm Sat Nov 13

Dyeing fabric is one of the most magical of human endeavours. Throughout the world it has been practiced with its own ceremonies, lore, and traditions. To this day, natural dyeing retains the same air of mystery and exotic intrigue that has compelled artists for centuries.

Charllotte Kwon's passionate study of natural dyeing techniques has introduced her to cultures around the world. Her natural dye workshop has been an important avenue in the journey of many natural dyers. It is a beautiful and intense workshop where she shares her in-studio processes, her enthusiasm, her limitless curiosity and experience. Gorgeous Turkey reds, indigo blues, and Indian yellows are just a few of the colours achieved as students work on cotton, silks, wools, and linen.

The student will obtain a good understanding of the mordanting processes and the varied uses of ancient natural dyes (indigo, cochineal, madder, fustic, and many others). The full spectrum of more than 80 rich earth colours dyed in class will form an invaluable sourcebook for each student. These sourcebooks are a great inspiration and reference for years to come. Students will also complete several natural dye projects. Previous dyeing experience is an asset in this class, but the enthusiastic novice is welcome.

Maiwa Handprints Ltd.
#6 - 1666 Johnston Street, Granville Island Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H 3S2

Phone 604 669 3939 Fax 604 669 0609 Email: maiwa@maiwa.com
http://www.maiwa.com

A four-day workshop sponsored by Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

This is a natural dye workshop for everyone, from beginners to experienced dyers. Create dyes for yarn, fabric, clothing, and accessories in all fibers without using harmful chemicals. The workshop includes dyeing with lichens. No previous dye experience is required. Researchers and non-weavers are welcome.

Karen Diadick Casselman (Cheverie, Nova Scotia, Canada) is a dye author, historian, and a Ph.D. student whose academic research involves natural dyes of northern and western Europe, 1750-1900. She is best known as the author of the classic Craft of the Dyer, published by Dover in 1993. In 2001, Dover published Lichen Dyes: The New Source Book. Karen has lectured and taught workshops in the U.S. and Canada, and in 11 other countries.

For more information, contact Vesterheim Museum, 563-382-9681
523 W. Water St., PO Box 379, Decorah IA 52101-0379
email: Vesterheim@vesterheim.org
http://vesterheim.org/learning/classes_textiles.php

Learn hands-on about natural dyes and natural dyeing in my fun, in-depth workshops. The workshops cover dyeing with Indigo, Fustic, Madder, Brazilwood, Logwood, and Cochineal, mordants, choice of yarns and fiber, techniques and principles of natural dyes, as well as the ever-popular paint-dyeing with natural dyes.

Aurora Silk's now offers workshops in their new cottage in Portland. Pick up and drop off at the airport or train station is included. Workshop is from Friday evening through Monday afternoon, (with option to stay overnight Monday and fly out on Tuesday). Includes meals - all meals are organic, and vegan or vegetarian or other dietary needs can be met. Spartan but comfortable "sleep-over" accommodations included. Very individualized, with maximum of six students. Cost, including all materials, book, meals, lodging, etc.: $440 per student.

Aurora Silk http://www.aurorasilk.com
5806 N. Vancouver Ave, Portland, OR 97217 USA 503-286-4149

http://www.surfacedesign.org/conference.asp

The conference will offer a keynote or featured lecture each day along with concurrent sessions where attendees may choose between lectures or one-hour demonstrations. Numerous exhibitions related to surface design will be held in the Kansas City area to coincide with the conference. In addition to the conference, the pre-conference and post-conference workshops will provide the opportunity to dive deep into specific topics for rich, hands-on experiences. While not limited to natural dyes, it includes the following natural dye workshops:

Wednesday, June 1 Pre-One-Day Demo
Japanese Indigo Vat Preparation, with Rowland and Chinami Ricketts

Indigo has limitless possibilities: from patterned shibori and katazome to uninterrupted sheets of solid blues. A traditional Japanese indigo vat is made by fermenting sukumo (composted indigo leaves) in wood-ash lye, along with limestone and wheat bran. This one-day workshop will examine Japanese indigo from seed to vat. Special attention will be paid to the farming and processing of indigo into sukumo, the roles of each of the ingredients in the vatting process, and the maintaining of the vat over time. This workshop is highly recommended for those participating in the post-conference indigo dyeing workshop.

Monday, June 6 - Wednesday, June 8 Post-Three-Day Workshops
Dyeing with Japanese Indigo, with Rowland and Chinami Ricketts

Students will experience firsthand the challenges posed by various combinations of resist techniques and materials when working with indigo through the completion of a length of ori-nui shibori cloth (fold and stitch shibori). Student's understanding of the skills necessary to work with a traditional Japanese indigo vat will be enhanced with demonstrations of plain and gradation dyeing, katazome, and yarn dyeing techniques, as well as contemporary and historical textiles that illustrate these techniques.

Conference, Exposition and Tours. This follows the 1st conference held in Yamaguchi and Fukuoka, Japan on August 25-29, 2004. There is much more information on the Events page:
Information about other activities at the Conference as well as Fees, Accomodations & Travel

In Onna Village Museum
2451, Onna-son, Kunigashira-gun, 904-0492, Okinawa, Japan Telephone 81-98-982-5112
Workshop June 23
Ms. Karen Diadick Casselman (Canada): Lichen Dyes Of Northern Europe and North America
Takako Terada(Japan): Dyeing with Murex Purple
Demonstration with discussions June 25
Dr. Dominique Cardon(France): Dyeing with Insects
3 Workshops June 25
Syoko Yade (Japan): Traditional Paste-resist Dye Technique with Natural Pigments.
Mixed session of dyeing: Dyeing by regional dye plants in Okinawa with all members
Yoshitomo Namikawa
- making pigments from fresh leaves of strobilantes and Indigofera
- Traditional dyeing Technique Noribiki(tutugaki)

Main Contact ndpc@amber.plala.or.jp Tel & Fax 81-134-25-1470
NDPC, 2-3-9, Matsugae, Otaru-shi, 047-0022, Japan
http://www13.plala.or.jp/ndpc/index.html

Anni Redding will lead this workshop on natural dyes. Students will learn how to prepare and use natural dyes. 10 am - 4 pm Sunday June 5; $25, which includes materials. Reservations required. Suitable for adults.

American River Conservancy, 348 Hwy. 49 in Coloma, (530) 621-1224.

Conference, Exposition and Tours. This follows the 1st conference held in Yamaguchi and Fukuoka, Japan on August 25-29, 2004. There is much more information on the Events page:
Information about other activities at the Conference as well as Fees, Accomodations & Travel

In Onna Village Museum
2451, Onna-son, Kunigashira-gun, 904-0492, Okinawa, Japan Telephone 81-98-982-5112
Workshop June 23
Ms. Karen Diadick Casselman (Canada): Lichen Dyes Of Northern Europe and North America
Takako Terada(Japan): Dyeing with Murex Purple
Demonstration with discussions June 25
Dr. Dominique Cardon(France): Dyeing with Insects
3 Workshops June 25
Syoko Yade (Japan): Traditional Paste-resist Dye Technique with Natural Pigments.
Mixed session of dyeing: Dyeing by regional dye plants in Okinawa with all members
Yoshitomo Namikawa
- making pigments from fresh leaves of strobilantes and Indigofera
- Traditional dyeing Technique Noribiki(tutugaki)

Main Contact ndpc@amber.plala.or.jp Tel & Fax 81-134-25-1470
NDPC, 2-3-9, Matsugae, Otaru-shi, 047-0022, Japan
http://www13.plala.or.jp/ndpc/index.html

Learn how to conjure tinctures with natural dye extracts and create beautiful hues. Working with the ancient dyes and specialty colors from around the globe, participants will learn how to create brilliant effects through immersion dyeing on wool, silk and cotton yarns. Working with a variety of mordants, color changers and post-dyeing effects, we will see how the colors are influenced by fiber content, mordanting and overdyeing. Earthues introduced the concept of natural dye extracts to the US textile industry, and has worked extensively with these dyes for over a decade. They are ideal for immersion, printing, painting, and resist. We will share our secrets, hints and tips for dyeing with extracts and coaxing beautiful colors using artistry and alchemy.

For more information, contact info@earthues.com 206-789-1065 http://www.earthues.com

El Pueblo History Museum, 301 North Union, in Pueblo, Colorado, will host the "Natural Dyes Workshop" with Deborah Martinez-Martinez, Ph.D. from 10 am until 3 pm.

Participants, adults and teens, will discover and experience the colors of the Western Frontier as they learn about and prepare dye liquors for three primary colors that include an indigo dye vat, and dye and overdye colors on wool. Expploring more of this centuries-old tradition, there will be demonstrations using other natural colorants and mordants.

The workshop also includes an interpretive tour of the Pueblo Museum Gallery and El Pueblo Trading Post. Cost is $10, which includes supplies. Participants may bring their own skein of wool to dye and are encouraged to wear work clothes and to bring an apron and rubber gloves. Lunch is not provided. Registration is required by calling (719) 583-0453 before July 7.

El Pueblo History Museum, 301 North Union, Pueblo, Colorado 81003 719/583-0453

http://www.coloradohistory.org/hist_sites/Pueblo/Pueblo.htm

Using color combinations and overdye techniques, experience a wealth of hues on the cool side of the spectrum. We will experiment with indigo, a multitude of reds, and some tricks of the trade to coax beautiful blue and purple shades. Participants will dye skeins of wool, silk and cotton yarns.

For more information contact The Weaving Works 206-524-1221 http://www.weavingworks.com

http://www.mafafiber.org/conference.html
This is a general fiber conference but includes some natural dye workshops. A full brochure in pdf format can be downloaded at the MAFA web site.

July 12-14 Pre-conference workshop: 105 Natural Dyes by Cheryl Kolander
Learn all about NATURAL DYES, where they come from and how they are applied. We will dye 15 colors by immersion dyeing in pots: Red with Brazilwood; Scarlet, Rose, Magenta and Plum with Cochineal; Blue and Greens with Indigo; Yellows with Fustic; Purples with Logwood, as well as Grays and soft Greens and Black. On the third day we will "Surface Design" three scarf lengths of silk fabric. Most colors will be dyed on lustrous 100% silk yarns; some will be dyed on 100% soft hemp. A portfolio of recipes is included for future reference. Students will take home approximately 6 ounces of dyed yarn, three scarves and the portfolio.

July 16 519 Focus on Cochineal by Cheryl Kolander
Achieve dozens of colors from just one dye! We will dye scarlet red thru magenta, to plums, violets and blue lavenders. Learn the full control of this amazing and precious dyestuff. We will dye sample amounts of yarns of silk, wild silk, hemp and wool to fill out a preprinted recipe portfolio. Then we will each complete a scarf length of silk fabric in a "surface design" technique that showcases the variations possible with this

July 16 603 Using freeze-dried Indigo by Judith Mackenzie McCuin
There's a new indigo on the market that will revolutionize your approach to using this ancient dye. It uses a simple reduction method that both increases the amount of color produced and decreases the stress and mess of traditional indigo. It is much kinder to wool than traditional indigo preparations and can dye an extraordinary range of fibers. We'll look at how it can be used alone on a variety of fibers and, together with several simple vegetable dyes to create an astonishing array of colors.

MAFA Registrar Questions? Phone: 410-271-9531 email: registrar@mafafiber.org
MAFA Registrar PO Box 8387, Elkridge, MD 21075

This primarily a weaving conference with many different workshops on weaving. It includes a workshop on natural dyes by NDI member Jane Hoffman:

Harmonious Hues: Create a Color Palette Using Natural Dyes
Jane Hoffman, Alpine AZ

Trained artists know that muted, natural colors are the workhorses of their palette. A good color palette consists of harmonious hues and a range of value and intensity that frame and offset intense pure hues. This comprehensive workshop shows you how to create beautiful, light fast, and wash fast color from natural dyes. Jane will bring natural dye plants from her own dye garden and imported dye material. You will learn to prepare natural dyes, to mordant yarn and to experiment with color by using pre mordant and post mordant baths, after baths, and exhaust baths. Handling dyes safely will be covered. You will go home with mini skeins of dyed fiber, handouts and cards for recording results and attaching samples.

Experience: none required. Equipment: provided by instructor. Maximum class size: 12. Materials fee: $25

Jane Hoffman was introduced to natural dyeing as an art student at Western Washington University in 1972. Since then she has researched native dye plants throughout the U.S. Her garden and the surrounding natural environment at her home on the Arizona / New Mexico border provide dyes for the fiber she uses in her tapestries and sculptured felt. Weaving and felting with nature's colors is integral to how she expresses her passion for our natural world.

http://www.intermountainweavers.org/Conference/conference.html

This workshop requires advanced registration. Registration fee: $60
Sunday, July 31 - 10 am to 2 pm - Madden Hall, Dixon May Fair Grounds Classroom #4B
Dixon is located West of Sacramento between Davis and Vacaville off of Interstate 80.

Don't be scared of the hand-painting part; you'll learn how to use simple designs available in surprising places. Create gorgeous fashion statements with simple materials including wood blocks and stamps. Use finely powdered natural dye extracts and natural earth oxides to make exciting textile pigments. Teacher supplies dye extracts and oxides, brushes, stamps, blocks, latex gloves, mordants, handouts, and one 12x60" silk scarf per student. More scarves and dye supplies can be purchased on site. Those taking the class should bring an apron and their own gloves if desired, plus any well-washed fabric they would like to paint. If you have a T-shirt form handy, bring it.

Dixon Lambtown USA Festival, P.O. Box 492, Dixon, CA 95620 USA
staff@lambtown.com http://www.lambtown.com/wrkshp05.html