Natural Dyes: Patterns & Prints (six sessions)
Adult Class | This program is completed
Join natural dyer and textile artist, Laura Hricko, for an exciting exploration into the art of creating vibrant patterns and prints on fabric using natural dyes. Participants will learn a variety of surface design techniques using stamps, stencils, and brushes in combination with a diverse array of natural dye sources and mordant pastes. Laura will guide you through the process of extracting dye from plants and food waste for immersion dyeing. Several methods for the direct application of natural dyes onto fabric, including bundle dyeing and eco-printing, will also be covered. Gain a comprehensive understanding of natural dyeing techniques and their applications in surface design and discover the endless possibilities for creating dynamic works of art on fabric with natural dyes.
All levels of experience are welcome. This class is perfect for beginners and experienced dyers interested in exploring the beauty and versatility of natural dyes in textile surface design. You will leave class having created a variety of patterned textiles with natural dyes. You will also transform a shirt, baby onesie, tea towel, or other cotton item of your choosing from start to finish using one of the introduced natural dye techniques.
What you will learn:
1. How to properly scour fabrics prior to pretreating with mordants.
2. The selection and application of different types of mordants based on the fiber and dye processes you want to use.
3. Immersion dyeing, eco-printing, and bundle dyeing with natural dyes.
4. Stamping, stenciling and painting with mordant pastes to create multi-colored prints from the same dye bath.
Please note: Class will not meet on Monday, October 14 in observance of Indigenous People’s Day.
For 1st class:
• 2 yards of white 100% cotton like this. You are welcome to purchase elsewhere, but the cotton must be 100% cotton.
• 1 100% white cotton item from home for dyeing, no larger than a t-shirt (t-shirt, bandana, baby onesie, tea towel).
• Dust Mask (KN95 or similar)
• Dishwashing Gloves
• Scissors
• Notebook
• Ballpoint Pen
After 3rd class:
• 3 small tupperware containers, solo cups, or other plastic disposable containers
• Variety of brushes
• Other items to create textures through stamping (will be discussed in prior classes)
• Fresh eucalyptus, and variety of autumn leaves like oak, maple, etc. (will be discussed in prior classes)
Optional:
• Basswood to carve a block/stamp
• Xacto knife and blades
• Stencils (handmade or purchased)
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Laura Hricko
Laura Hricko is an artist, educator, and lifelong Philadelphian dedicated to the conviction that art is transformative and capable of enriching the lives of all people. Laura’s artistic practice involves various fiber arts techniques including sewing, quilting, embroidery, and textile surface design. Most recently, Laura has been captivated by the processes of natural dyeing, which allow her to feel a deeper connection with nature and history, as she employs these ancient craft techniques to coax color from homegrown, foraged, and food-waste natural dye sources.