Dyeing - Indigo Blue
Learning the process of dyeing with indigo.
Teacher: Julia Billings
Description: In this half-day workshop, you will learn the steps involved in creating an indigo vat and experience the magic that results from indigo dyeing. After preparing the vat, we’ll take time while it rests to look into the history of this old and venerated dyestuff and prepare fibres for dyeing. You may choose to dye your yarn and fabric solid colours or to explore patterning using shibori (methods of folding, clamping, binding and stitching).
We will then dip and remove our fibres from the bath multiple times to achieve a good depth of colour. There will also be a chance to discuss some of the keys aspects of dyeing with indigo; fibre preparation, overdyeing to create complex colours and other tips and tricks.
Materials: There will be a materials fee of $15 to cover yarn, fabric, dyestuff and other materials. Students will need to bring a pen and notepad and to dress warmly (as the workshop will take place outside. Indigo will stain clothing and footwear so bring an apron and be sure to wear something dark or old!
Takeaway: Participants will take away yarn and fabric dyed in the workshop.
Level: Beginners welcome
Workshop Length: Half day
So I wrote last week a post asking “Is my making fast fashion?”. And then I did a video on Instagram discussing similar topics in a slightly different way. And as always, you lovely humans have helped me clarify some of my thinking with your thoughtful, clever commentary.
And while I think there is so much more to discuss, here are four key possibly-more-meta ideas that have come up for me out of those conversations.
In using the quote last week that suggested that there was no single answer, and suggesting that this was freeing, I really did mean that we should sit in the grey. Not that the lack of “an” answer to this question should mean we get to ignore the question but rather that the lack of “an” answer means that we need to keep asking bigger more beautiful questions. And keep asking them.
Is my making fast fashion?
Am I living my values or merely thinking them?
And how can I make those two things a little more aligned in this moment?
These are my big beautiful questions.
Yours might be different.
And importantly this leads to point 2.