See the plants around you in a new light as you learn about the art of creating natures dyes from native plants.
A Natural Plant Dye workshop is set for 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s classroom area. Lori Evesque will detail the process of creating natural dyes from plants and explore the natural history of some plants commonly used in dyes. Attendees should bring a sack lunch.
Topics covered during the workshop will include:
- Making a dye bath
- Different mordants and post-dye treatments
- Commonly used dye plants, and the natural history of dye plants in our region
- The science behind natural dyes
- Important safety precautions for natural dyeing
Attendees will leave the workshop with:
- A sample chart of the 24 colors that can be obtained from our dye plant, coreopsis
- Knowledge of local plants that you could grow or harvest to naturally dye with at home
- Full confidence to naturally dye on your own
- Optional for an additional fee: One naturally dyed silk scarf (8″ x 54″) or two 50 gm wool skeins
Workshop fees are $125 for Sanctuary members ($135 if also purchasing a scarf or skeins) and $135 (or $145) for non-members. Register at https://bit.ly/kbs-plant-dye-
For more information about the Sanctuary, visit birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu. Direct questions about the workshop to birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu or (269) 671-2510.
