Teaching Schedule

Natural Dye Intensive

Sept. 29, 2017

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival in Tunbridge, Vermont.   One day intensive dye workshop using natural dye extracts.  We will begin with a short discussion of dye theory as it applies to both chemical and natural dyes.  Dye extracts will be mixed in a 1%” equivalent” stock solution for mixing colors. We will dye in a gradated series using 4-5 dye extracts including a natural ferment indigo vat to create a pallet of colors.   Students will produce approximately 50 color samples using both an alum mordant on wool or a wool/mohair blend yarn.   Please note, these extracts have been developed for the commercial dye market and while relatively non-toxic are very colorfast.  Each student will receive a comprehensive dye notebook with workshop instructions as well as notes for working on your own to dye yarns.   Included in the notebook will be a set of dye samples produced in class.

For more information and to register:  http://vtsheepandwoolfest.com/fiberarts-classes/


Dyeing Cotton Naturally

     Photo:  Deb McClintock

October 19, 2017

New York State Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. Contrary to popular belief, dyeing cotton and other plant fibers with natural dyes is not a labor intensive process with mediocre results. Instead, new developments in scouring and fiber preparation have replaced the traditional 3 day mordanting process of cotton fibers. The result is better dye uptake and wonderfully saturated colors. Additionally this process can be applied to other cellulose fibers with similar results.

Students will produce approximately 115 color samples using the alternative alum acetate mordant, a tannin based mordant, and an iron modifier.

Each student will receive a comprehensive dye notebook with workshop instructions as well as notes for working on your own to dye yarns. Included in the notebook will be a set of dye samples produced in class.Beginner to Experienced.

For more information and to register: http://workshops17.sheepandwool.com/workshops/workshop-details.asp?workshop=744


Spinning for Dyeing



Oct. 19-20, 2017

New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY. 

Spinning for Dyeing - This two day workshop takes you from the wheel or spindle to the dye pot. Learn how different blends of fiber create different results in the dye pot. Blend fibers with the idea of creating unique colors, effects and shades once the yarns are dyed.

On Day One,  Donna Kay will be  guiding you as you  spin several small skeins of natural color wools and blends with the purpose of creating interesting yarns to dye. The fibers we will work with include bfl/kid mohair, polwarth/silk, silk, alpaca, angora and merino/flax/silk.  Some time will be spent spinning and plying different fibers together for different effects as well as spinning a low twist singles. At the end of the day the skeins will then be tied and labeled for dyeing.   
On Day Two, Jane Woodhouse takes over for a day of dyeing.

We will be working with natural dye extracts doing some initial immersion dyeing with a wool/silk commercial yarn to sample dyes and mix color formulas.  Samples will be labeled to match the color recipes for reproduction.  The afternoon will be spent dyeing the spun sample skeins from the previous day.  We will mix concentrated stocks for painting skeins and finish by steaming our samples.  

For more information and to register:   http://workshops17.sheepandwool.com/workshops/workshop-details.asp?workshop=694