Natural Dye and Sustainable Print Autumn

About this course

The course examines how roots, bark, leaves, flowers and food waste can produce colour, including the preparation of different fabrics with mordants and the use of modifiers to vary results. Participants explore screen printing, contact printing and other methods for creating pattern and texture with natural dyes, using seasonal plants from the college dye garden. Teaching combines tutor demonstrations, group discussion, shared ideas and one-to-one guidance. Participants develop a sample book containing dyed and printed fabric swatches, colour tests and notes on the techniques used. Learners with more experience can develop individual work with tutor support.

What you'll learn

• Identify how different plant parts contribute to natural dye colours
• Apply mordants when preparing different fabric types for dyeing
• Use colour modifiers to produce varied shades from a dye
• Explore screen printing, contact printing and other plant-dye print processes
• Document dyeing and printing experiments in a sample book

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for complete beginners as well as learners who already have some natural dyeing experience and want to extend their skills. Participation includes demonstrations, practical individual work, group sessions and one-to-one guidance. More experienced learners can pursue individual projects with tutor support.

• Suitable for learners starting without previous natural dyeing experience
• Includes both shared group activity and individual guidance
• Good mobility is needed for stairs to the studio and access to the dye garden

Before you go

• Bring a sketchbook or presentation book, a pen, rubber gloves and an apron.
• The studio is on the second floor; lift access reaches the first floor only, so stairs are required.
• Access to the dye garden forms part of the course and also involves stairs.