Two Extraordinary Workshops on Natural Dyes — Registration Opens April 7th at 9am Pacific Time
THE NATURAL DYE WORKSHOP
ONLINE
Learn to successfully mordant cellulose and protein fibres. Work with cloth and yarns to achieve vibrant, clear colours using classic natural dyes.
45 evocative instructional videos with written instructions and downloadable PDF's.
Work with 11 natural dyes including indigo.
Build dyepots from 18 recipes, shift colours with iron and overdye with indigo.
Complete the course with close to 100 different colours...and a whole new appreciation for the magic of natural dyes.
Online Workshop begins May 5, 2025
This online workshop is designed to be done anywhere in the world - in your home or studio.
See what people are saying about
The Natural Dye Workshop online:
I’m teary-eyed right now. Can’t believe we’ve come to the end of this fabulous course. Oh wow, what a journey. You guys are wonderful. The course is wonderful. Not enough words to thank you and praise you for this experience. Please keep producing more on-line courses......please, please, please!
— Susan
This has been an amazing course. The format for the lessons is perfect. I am totally zoomed out at this point and it is wonderful to get a lesson, fuss around on my own and see the outcome.
The modules are so incredibly well put together and to have the ability to go back and watch a module and ask a question is invaluable. Even without answering questions - being able to go back and review the module is fantastic and so helpful.
— Erica
This has been the best class ever!!! I have loved doing it at home using my own water so that I am able to get consistent results all the time (hopefully). I am constantly looking at my hand dyed colours and thinking of what I will create next. I have learned sooo much from you both. You have incredible talent and knowledge that I am grateful to be on the receiving end of. Keep offering more online classes. Love the format!
— Shirley
Thank you so much Charllotte and Sophena for this truly wonderful course! It has left me with a full force of inspiration :) The amount of detail, and care, and compassion you both have for your craft and for sharing your knowledge is beautiful to have been a part of. I will be re-watching and taking notes for many weeks to come.
— Ewa
I am so sort of overwhelmed that this is ending... for now. I think back to my many grandmother’s who were textile people - sheep farmers, a tenter in a cotton mill, many many quilters and tatters and and crochet pillowcase trim makers...and wonder that of course they could never have imagined their future granddaughter would have the huge LUXURY of being able to keep her sanity during a time of quarantine by being able to intensely study natural dying for 10 weeks with the finest teachers on the topic. I have truly loved every minute of this - my “take outs” at the end would all be my grumpy ness at having to address the “activities of daily living” - like interrupting my dying to actually produce a meal or almost not being able to walk at the end of the day because I have been standing on the hard floor stirring the pots for many hours that day...every bit worth it!!
— Patricia
I feel a bit emotional about the end of the course, it has been such a great journey and pure joy learning from you. The passion, love and kindness that you clearly show through your wonderful videos always make me smile and encourages me to keep going, experimenting, learning...I hope Sophena and the baby are doing well. I wish them and you all the happiness in the world.
— Margarida
This course has been such a fantastic and heart warming experience. I have wanted to do a course with Maiwa for years (but I'm in the UK) and have enjoyed this course so much! Your knowledge and passion for what you do shines out and it's so inspiring to have had this chance to learn from you and Sophena. The tutorials have been clear and so enjoyable to watch and learn from. The Q & A has been really valuable and I have appreciated to have your advice and just be able to ask questions. This has given me the confidence to go forward.
— Michele
NATURAL DYES:
ALCHEMY CHEMISTRY CRAFT
ONLINE
THIS WORKSHOP WAS DEVELOPED BY TIM McLAUGHLIN & CHARLLOTTE KWON
We are honoured to continue sharing Tim's work.
THE FIRST WORKSHOP OF ITS KIND
A pathway through modern science organized around the study of natural dyes. From the atom and molecular diagrams to the reduction and oxidation of indigo, to acids and bases, and all the way up to the complexity of tannin-mordant dye chemistry.
Learn why the study of natural dyes is one of the most engaging ways to investigate matter and materials.
In this workshop students will open up one of the most colourful mysteries of all time — why plants give colour and how this colour is preserved on textile fibres. The course will bring students along on a voyage of discovery through human ingenuity and exploration.
We will follow the history of scientific progress alongside the development of craft, and the materials of craft: the production of alkalies from burning plants, the production of pigments by putting these alkalies to use, the production of dye molecules inside plants, why oxidation happens and how it transforms an indigo leaf from green foliage into a blue pigment. How a few functional groups (the magnificent seven) explain the formation of tannins, solubility and acidity. We journey to the very heart of colour and discover what it is that produces the hues we love - at the molecular level.
This workshop will most benefit the experienced dyer, or the artisan who has a strong curiosity about materials- especially mordants. It will also benefit those who work alongside natural colour - teachers, archivists, conservators, researchers and historians. Our explorations will be mainly process based, and qualitative, if you can handle weight of fibre calculation - you will be comfortable in this course.
This is an ideas-based workshop driven by wonder and curiosity about dyes, dyeing, and the natural world. There are no textile projects in this class.
NATURAL DYES: ALCHEMY CHEMISTRY CRAFT - TRAILER
Watch the Trailer Here
• Over 130 lessons in 18 modules covering everything from ions to indigo.
• Comprehensive videos for each module, providing clear explanations with animated diagrams and text.
• Over 220 pages of fully illustrated course notes available as downloadable PDFs, including references and links to both video and print support materials.
• An online quiz for each module so that you can review key concepts.
Online Workshop begins May 5, 2025
This online workshop is designed to be done anywhere in the world - in your home or studio.
See what people are saying about
Natural Dyes: Alchemy Chemistry Craft online:
I'm excited about this course, as it is precisely what I've often sought. I've been trained in chemistry and biochemistry through the PhD level and have been working exclusively with natural dyes for nearly twenty years. However I've found most explanations of the natural dyeing process lacking on the chemical/biochemical level. Thank you for filling that gap!
— Michael
I have a bachelors degree in Art/Art History and Masters degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Mathematics Education. I've always struggled to understand science in the manner that it traditionally is presented in the classroom. I love that this course explains chemistry through the relatable and exciting window of natural dyes. The amount of work that was put into this course is very apparent and I'm so appreciative.
— Barbara
Thank you for this extraordinary course. It is so sad to see it come to an end. A great legacy from Tim. I still have so much to learn, but for me the chemistry of dyeing will always be associated with this inspiring man.
— Kristin
I feel like I went back to the school of my dreams. If only I could have taken a course like this early on in life, I may not have shied away from science. I am honored to be part of the first class to witness this groundbreaking work. My dye practice has taken on an exciting new dimension, and I can't wait to further my exploration with a new level of confidence and fascination. And what a gift to know Tim, even if only for a moment through a screen. He made a big impression on me, and I will never forget the warmth and playful curiosity he exuded and how he sparked a love for chemistry I didn't know I had.
— Mariah
— Create a Teachable account in advance by enrolling in one of our free lessons.
—Have your Teachable login details ready on registration day. Be sure to enter a valid email address as this is how we will be communicating.
—Supply & Equipment List can be found on workshop sales pages. Workshop pages are listed here at maiwa.teachable.com.
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