This three-hour guided workshop will take you on an introductory foraging walk of seasonal plants in a permaculture garden setting, and instruct you in the practice of making prints onto textiles using plants, flowers, food waste and metal.
Details:
Time: 3 hour session
Cost: £40
Date: Sunday 17th September 2023. 9.30am-12.30pm.
Location: Meet at The Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes N4 2HA
Group Size: maximum 8.
What you will learn:
What bundle dyeing is and how surprising it is!
Appropriate materials and equipment for this practice, including a basic overview of natural pigments
How to mordant and prepare a fabric for bundle dyeing, and fabric recommendations
Composing plant material and fabric wrapping for various dyeing patterns⇾ Seasonal plant signs and introduction to plants found in the session area
Foraging best practice and safety considerations
What you will receive:
Guidance on the art of bundle dyeing for fabric
All materials, including pre-mordanted organic textiles (cotton or bamboo) and yarns, with finished works yours to keep
All required loaned tools (snips, secateurs, gloves, steamer pan, tongs, hob (heat), water, citric acid, table)
Additional materials, such as dried petals and food waste
An insight and built connection with the local environment and seasonal planting
Herbal teas as refreshment
A follow-up PDF guide with all covered information and additional resources
About your teacher:
I’m Steph. An organic food grower in a permaculture kitchen garden in North London. I’m trained in fashion design and textile sustainability. My focus is always to look outwards at the inter-relatedness of our systems, yet create a space where we can turn that focus to smaller actions. My nature connection workshops invite you to explore yourself and your surroundings, and pick up a fresh crafty technique at the same time.
Schedule:
Meeting outside the front entrance of The Castle Climbing Centre, you’ll be collectively guided through and out to the 1.4 acre permaculture kitchen garden. Here you’ll receive an introduction to the session, and invited to take a five-minute “sit spot” to settle into the space and session.
Some time will be spent introducing you to bundle dyeing including appropriate materials, safety considerations and preparing your fabrics for printing.
You’ll then be introduced to foraging guidelines and best practice, including safety considerations for tools, before being guided through the garden and its available plants suitable for bundle dyeing.You’ll be given some time to forage for your chosen materials, keeping in mind what your desired colour palette and patterning effect will be. You’ll also have access to various dried petals and certain food waste.
You will then have around 90 minutes to compose, wrap and steam your fabric piece. There is a set amount of time dedicated to steaming, so dependent on how quick you are, you may be able to steam an additional smalll piece – or bring along a washed cotton tote bag, cotton t-shirt, tablecloth or pair of socks to experiment with.
All works are yours to keep. Materials will be provided, and inspiration will be given to help you in presenting/using and storing your work.