An Introduction to Natural Dyes

In this course, you’ll be exploring all aspects of natural dyes for textiles including how to select suitable fibres, preparing your fabric for successful dye uptake, creating a dye bath, how to create plant based prints, foraging and growing natural dyes and more!

There will be lots of time for experimentation and personal practice as the course progresses, as well as space to explore different textile techniques which tie in to natural dye practice. For example: batik with natural dyes, creating plant-based paints, eco-printing, plant hammering, tie dye and modifying dyes.

By the end of the course, you will have an understanding of natural dyes as a whole and how they can be applied to textiles in a number of different ways. You will be able to identify commonly found dye plants throughout the seasons and will have the skills to dye and print textiles in an eco-friendly way. This course is suitable for beginners in natural dye practice, those with an interest in art or textiles and those with an interest in plants and gardening!

Please note An Introduction to Natural Dyes is only available to book as a 5 Week Course and will not be available for drop-ins.

Who’s it with?

This course is taught by Kayleigh Davis MA, who runs ocre natural dye studio based in the rural area of Marsden, West Yorkshire in a converted textile mill. She offers workshops both in house and pop up workshops and courses at venues around the North.

Kayleigh is a textile artist, workshop facilitator and educator whose practice focuses on naturally dyed silks. Immersed in nature from a young age, her work seeks to explore the impermanence and fragility of the natural world throughout the seasons by embedding foraged and grown pigments and prints into cloth. Her process is intrinsically meditative as she forages for seasonal botany around local woodlands and grows her own dye plants in a dedicated colour garden.

The plants embedded into her works are selected intuitively, often qualifying due to their ability, through form or colour to spark joy. Kayleigh has taught a variety of natural dye workshops and courses for a number of years with specialist groups, schools, museums, universities, stately homes, community groups, art studios.

What Level?

This course is suitable for beginners in natural dye practice, those with an interest in art or textiles and those with an interest in plants and gardening!

What does it cost?

This course costs £125 (inclusive of all materials).

What should I bring?

All equipment is provided!