Ecoprinting
Mondays, September 8, 15, 22 from 8 am – 4 pm
 
September is peak harvest time in the dye garden, when every plant is in full bloom, and tannin-rich leaves are most potent. It’s the perfect time for ecoprinting! Fresh flowers and leaves make colorful prints, while the magic between tannin and iron is dramatic and moody. Here’s where you can try multiple techniques to layer color and images. Bring a flower press – or just a heavy old book – and press flowers for future use.
 
While the concept is simple, many factors can influence the outcome of an ecoprinted textile. This session will cover many of the variables and provide you with a toolkit for further exploration. Types of plants, fabric, pH, mordant choice, moisture, heat and time – all play into color shifts and image clarity. You’ll also learn to use mordants as you prepare your textiles for clear ecoprinted images.
 
The mornings are for the dye garden. Depending upon the time of year, we might be planting, weeding, or harvesting. Time in the garden is great for getting to know the plants and their individual personalities, and the other beings that like to BEE in the garden. Knowing the plants gives you a connection that goes all the way to your finished dyed piece. 
 
There are countless aspects to botanical dyeing. Here and there, we’ll talk about cultivating dye plants, mordants, science, history and more to give you a well-rounded feel for working with plant dyes. You will take home your finished textiles, your practice pieces, and handouts that correlate with the workshop activities.
 
Details 
 
You are welcome to bring any number of garments/textiles/yarn/roving under a total weight of three pounds (1,350 g) per session. 
For the Shibori, Inks & Paints, and Ecoprinting sessions, fabric must be either white or natural cellulose (cotton, rayon, hemp, bamboo, etc.). If your textiles are not new items, please scour them before coming to the workshop. (https://www.fiberartsy.com/how-to-scour-fabric/ for instructions on scouring.) If they are new, please machine wash in hot water. 
For the Plant Dyes & Wool session, please bring white or cream wool yarn and/or roving. If you have wool scarves or sweaters (etc.), you can dye those too.  
Please bring a sack lunch, hat, water bottle, sunscreen, and garden-friendly shoes. We will provide refreshments and snacks.