Tricia Hutchinson

Contemporary Textile Artist

 

  

 

natural dye courses...

dyeing with natural dyes is not a science... the colour obtain can vary greatly and be depend on many factors... the time of year a plant is picked... the growing conditions... the water... the mordents... the method used to extract the dye... as well as the type of fibre used...  so each and every time you use natural dyes the results you obtain have the potential to be different...  fibres dyed with natural dyes are not always colourfast... over time the colour can change too... but for me all these variants and possibilities are what makes dyeing with natural dyes so exciting...

so while the Spring & Autumn Colour course may be the same in format... the colour... shades... & hues obtain will be different...

Spring Colour...  a range of plants will be used on this course... 

  • the day will start at the family's allotment followed by a walk gathering plants...

  • once the vats of colour are simmering away... we will talk about the different types of fibres & mordents available...

  • then it will be time to add your fibre to the dye pots...

  • you will end the day with a selection of natural dye natural fibres to use in your own projects... 

please do contact me if you require further details...                    

St John's Wort - hypericum perforatum  - perhaps better know as a homoeopathic treatment for depression... traditionally cut at midsummer... especially on St John's day June 24th  after the dew had vanished...  this being  important if you were using the plant for medical reasons or if hanging it in a doorway to keep away witches & evil spirits...  it is also classed as a noxious weed in some countries... however all this aside it is a most... intriguing dye plant...  there is obviously 'magic' involved here as...  red... yellow... green... & a darkish brown/black colour can all be obtain from this plant...

  • the day will start at the family's allotment where you can help pick the plants to be used... 

  • both  protein and  cellulose fibres will be dyed... producing a range of colour for you to take home...

  • the fun won't stop at the end of the course for you will have the opportunity to take away a bundle of fibre (still immersed in liquid) as the 'magic' continues to works as the liquid cools overnight... 

the next St John's Wort course takes place... of course... on Thursday 24th June 2010    please do contact me if you require further details...

Autumn Colour... a range of plants will be used on this course...

  • the day will start at the family's allotment followed by a walk gathering plants...

  • once the vats of colour are simmering away... we will talk about the different types of fibres & mordents available...

  • then it will be time to add you fibre to the dye pots...

  • you will end the day with a selection of natural dye natural fibres to use in your own projects... 

please do contact me if you require further details...