Color on Fabric: Natural Dyes

Color on Fabric: Natural Dyes

Adult Summer Class | Registration opens Monday, May 4, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

All levels welcome.
6/16/2026-7/21/2026
6:30 PM-9:30 PM EDT on Tue
$225.00
$205.00
$30.00

Color on Fabric: Natural Dyes

Adult Summer Class | Registration opens Monday, May 4, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

Fiber artists, quilters, and sewists will enjoy this opportunity to design and create your own fabrics filled with color, mark, and pattern. Students will learn a variety of surface design techniques using stamps, stencils, and brushes in combination with an array of natural dye sources and mordant pastes. Learn the process of extracting dye from plants for immersion dyeing, as well as bundle dyeing and shibori dyeing techniques. 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.

What you will learn:
- How to properly scour fabrics prior to pretreating with mordants.
- The selection and application of different types of mordants based on the fiber and dye processes you want to use.
- Immersion dyeing and bundle dyeing with natural dyes.
- Stamping, stenciling, and painting with mordant pastes to create multi-colored prints from the same dye bath.

  • Required Supplies

    • 2 yards of white 100% cotton fabric like this. You are welcome to purchase elsewhere, but the fabric must be 100% cotton.

    • Dust Mask (KN95 or similar)

    • Dishwashing Gloves

    • Scissors

    • 3 small tupperware containers, solo cups, or other plastic disposable containers

    • A stainless steel mixing bowl that can be dedicated to natural dyes like this

    • Variety of brushes

    • Other items to create textures through stamping (will be discussed in first class)


    Optional:

    • white 100% cotton items from home for dyeing, no larger than a t-shirt (t-shirt, bandana, baby onesie, tea towel, etc).

    • Stencils (handmade or purchased)

    • Oil board for making stencils (like this)

    • Xacto knife and blades (for making stencils)

Anna Bockrath

Anna Bockrath is an artist and educator based in Philadelphia. She holds an MFA in Fibers and Material Studies and a BS in Art Education from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University. Her interdisciplinary studio practice incorporates weaving, printmaking, and sculpture. https://www.annabockrath.com/