Workshop: 1-2-3 DIY Natural Indigo Dyeing & Shibori

Title: Workshop: 1-2-3 DIY Natural Indigo Dyeing & Shibori

Instructor:  Wai'ala Ahn and Justin Cool Tripp

Schedule: Saturday – Sunday, August 18-19, from 10:00am - 4:00pm

Level/Prerequisite: Beginner-Intermediate

Tuition/Admission: $200 Member / $250 Non-Member

Supply Fee:  $45

Full description:  Learn the magical process of creating with indigo, one of nature’s oldest plant dye pigments, and how to create your own vat to continue dyeing at home.  In this two-day workshop, students will learn all they need to know to make and maintain their own indigo fructose vat, one of the easiest, most basic and safe ways to be introduced to indigo dyeing outside of the workshop.

With the science out of the way, the focus turns to exploring the artistic possibilities.  Each student will dye natural fiber goods in the plant-derived vat and experiment with pattern making - concentrating on folded, tied, banded and clamped resists or 'the 5 major shibori styles' (Kanoko, Miura, Kumo, Arashi, and Itajima) before applying these techniques to their own custom indigo piece.

The class will also cover a brief history of this beautiful plant pigment, including identification of the many botanical varieties, its historical uses and how the art of indigo dyeing has been maintained throughout time.

Instructor bio: Waiho'olu'u : Living Color Dyery the husband and wife creative collective; Wai'ala "the artist" and Justin "the alchemist" work together to share the magic and alchemy of natural botanical dyes.Justin is an artist, musician and botanist by trade. Attending college for botany and agriculture; he has spent the last 16 yrs working in horticulture. From orchids and Jurassic plant propagation, to organic farming conversions and now raising our own plant dye garden. Creating natural dyes has been a beautiful bridge between nature, science and chemistry. Wai'ala is an artist, activist and Keiki o ka 'Aina. With a history rooted in conservation, culture and living close to the land with reverence. Her journey with plants began in early childhood through hula and continued on into her adult life through lei making practices. Along with an education in various forms of art and design, natural plant dyes has become an amazing combination of creativity, conservation and working with nature. 

Supply fee includes:

-  Five natural fabric sample swatches (variety of cotton textile pieces)

-  One ready-to-wear complete project piece: Habotai silk scarf or silk handkerchief/bandana

-  Vat and tool use for participants

Students should bring:

-  2 Sets of long latex (powder-free) gloves (like these)
-  1 Cooking Thermometer (like this)
-  1 Portable Water Heater Coil (like this)

-  Wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting stained!

-  3.5 gallon plastic pail or bucket with lid

-  Long handled wooden spoon

- 1/2 gallon wide mouth mason jar with lid

Minimum Enrollment: 5
Maximum Enrollment: 8

If Adult program: Adults and focused teens 16+ welcome.