Natural Dyes: Patterns & Prints
Adult Class | Registration opens Tuesday, October 20, 2026 8:00 AM EDT
Designed for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this workshop is an exciting exploration into the art of creating dynamic patterns and prints on fabric using natural dyes. We’ll cover a variety of surface design techniques using stamps, stencils, and brushes in combination with an array of natural dye sources, modifiers, pre-treatment processes, and mordant pastes. We’ll extract dye baths from locally grown plants, food waste, and traditional historic dyes, and use shibori resist techniques, immersion dyeing, and bundle dyeing to create vibrant colors and intricate patterns on cloth. Gain a comprehensive understanding of natural dyeing techniques and their applications in textile surface design and discover the endless possibilities for creating works of art on fabric with natural materials.
All levels of experience are welcome. You’ll leave class with a set of patterned textiles created using natural dyes, as well as a finished cotton or linen item of your choice - such as a shirt, baby onesie, or tea towel - transformed from start to finish using one or more of the techniques introduced in class.
What You Will Learn:
- How to properly scour fabrics prior to pretreating with mordants.
- Methods for creating handmade patterns, including designing and cutting stencils.
- The selection and application of mordants based on the fiber and dye processes you want to use.
- Immersion dyeing and bundle dyeing with natural dyes.
- Using soy milk binder and shibori resist techniques for creating patterns on fabric.
- Stamping, stenciling, and painting with mordant pastes to create multi-colored prints from the same dye bath.
- Methods for shifting colors and creating prints using iron and pH modifiers.
- For Day 1:
- 2 yards of white 100% cotton fabric like this. You are welcome to purchase your fabric elsewhere - thrifted white sheets work well - just make sure that your fabric is 100% cotton.
- 1 white 100% cotton item from home for dyeing, no larger than a t-shirt (t-shirt, bandana, baby onesie, tea towel).
- A small glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid (small ball jar, pill bottle, spice jar, etc.)
- X-acto knife
- Water-soluble fabric marker like this - Dust Mask (KN95 or similar)
- A few paintbrushes in various sizes
- Scissors
- Notebook and something to write with
After Third Class:
- 3 small yogurt containers, solo cups, or other plastic disposable containers
- Other items to create textures through stamping (to be discussed in prior classes)
Laura Hricko
Laura Hricko is a textile artist, educator, and lifelong Philadelphian. Her practice spans multiple fiber art techniques, including quilting, mending, embroidery, and textile surface design. She strives to be a steward of traditional textile practices, and is guided by a deep curiosity about the historical and social significance of both materials and the processes she uses to transform them. In recent years, Laura has immersed herself in natural dyeing, using these ancient craft techniques to coax color from homegrown flowers, foraged plants, and food-waste materials. As a teaching artist, Laura creates hands-on natural dye experiences that invite students to reconsider their relationship with textiles, the natural world, and consumption, while discovering the art that can be created in collaboration with nature.
laurahricko.com