Workshops

No workshops are planned for 2023. Please check back in January 2024 for updated information, Thank you for your patience.

Eco Printing (Botanical Contact Printing)

Eco Printing - Here in Maine, we are surrounded by nature and wrapped in textiles.  Why not combine the two?  Eco-printed cloth is created by layering prepared silk, linen, paper and other materials with local plants and flowers.  The cloth or paper and leaves are bundled together, tightly bound and steamed.  This process creates a permanent transfer of pigment from the leaves to the material.  No external dyes, inks or paints are used in eco-printing.  All color and pattern come from the plants themselves!  Release extraordinary secrets from local plants we see every day and often take for granted. 

Participants will print/dye a variety of prepared silk, linen and cotton cloth.  We will also experiment with eco-prints on paper.  Each student will complete a silk scarf,  1/4 yard each of cotton, silk/linen, spun silk broadcloth and linen; and 12 different art papers.  ($135, all materials included)

Feedback from students:  "It was the best class I have ever taken!"  (BW, Maine)  "You bewitched us with your knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm."  (BN, Maine)  "Nothing can ever compare to the magical day that (was) yesterday."  (SH, New Hampshire)  "Your presentation and instructions were so professional and understandable, and I'm thrilled with what I produced!" (LY, Maine)

Eco-Printing - The Next Steps -  If you have taken an eco-printing class from me before, come back for a refresher, more sampling or to learn techniques of yardage printing.   ($85, materials purchased separately)

Indigo - Indigo is a natural blue dye derived from the plant Indigofera tinctoria and other pigment bearing species. Indigo has been used as a colorant for nearly 6,200 years. The dye is extracted from the leaves through a lengthy process of soaking and fermentation, drying and grinding.  When the cloth or fiber is removed from the dye vat it changes, as if by magic, from yellow-green through green and turquoise to blue.  Multiple dips in the dye vat are required to create dark shades.  

Intro to Indigo (1 day) - learn the basics of indigo dyeing and vat preparation. Make 1 silk scarf and several cotton samples.  Bring something of your own to dye! If you've taken an indigo shibori class this is a great way to dye the pieces you've made after the class.  (Please email me for pricing and more details)

Indigo Shibori (1 day) - explore techniques of traditional Japanese resist dyeing with indigo.  Learn binding, pleating, and pole wrapping techniques.  Experiment on cotton and silk cloth samples, make one finished silk scarf.  

Stitched Shibori (1 day) - learn simple stitching techniques and patterns to make an infinite variety of images on cotton cloth

Indigo for Quilters (2-3 days, non-consecutive) - explore indigo dyeing and a variety of resist techniques to make 6 graded fat quarters, and 6 resist dyed fat quarters.

There are no pre-requisites for Indigo classes.

Samples of shibori:  arashi (pole-wrapping and scrunching), horse teeth (folding, stitching and gathering), crackle pattern (scrunching), kanoko (bound shibori)

Traditional Natural Dyeing 

Use sustainably sourced natural dyes and safe-to-use mordants to create samples of  more than 40 colors on wool yarn.  Until 1856, all colors came from natural sources.  With the advent of synthetic dyes, the use of most natural dyes was discontinued in favor of  less time consuming and more consistent but highly toxic chemical dyes.   Using Madder Root, Cochineal (insects), Osage Orange(sawdust), and Indigo we will create a thrilling range of colors from nature.  All recipes are repeatable! (2-day class, tuition $250 - yarn is not included in tuition, $64 (Peruvian Highland - non-superwash) or $90 (superwash merino) for 50 20gm mini-skeins, prepared for dyeing.)

All classes held at Ecouture Textiles are $145 per student per day unless otherwise noted and include all materials. 10am -4pm. Please bring a bag lunch.

Workshops are held in Brooksville, Maine.  However, if you know a group of people who are interested, I may be able to come to you!  Please email ecouturestudio(at)gmail.com for further information and availability.

Scholarships are may be available for class tuition, please email me for more information.