Natural Dyes - Print and Pattern

A Babchuk and D Bush

$395 includes 80 lab fee

October 29, 30, 31,November 1,  2013 - Class Limit 16

Maiwa East: 1310 Odlum Drive, Vancouver BC

This is one of our most popular natural dye classes. Study the art of preparing natural dyes, tannins, and mordants so that they can be used for direct application. 

The ability to mix and thicken natural dyes opens up many possibilities for creating designs on fabric that are simply not possible with immersion dyeing. 

This class will unlock the power of ancient methods that have given traditional craftspeople the capability of delivering pattern and colour on fabric. A wide array of variations are also possible through the combinations of different mordants, tannins, dyes, overdyes, and dyebaths. Students will learn how these variations can shift the final colour. These useful techniques are like dye magic: one dyestuff yields an impressive range of shades.

The workshop will combine direct application with appropriate patterning techniques such as block printing, stencilling, screen printing, shibori, and wax resist. The wonder of natural dyes will be enhanced by our choice of print material: natural fibres such as silks and cotton

Instructor Bios

Anne Babchuk has been a resident instructor for the Maiwa Textile Workshops for the past 18 years. She has taught classes in a wide range of traditional and contemporary surface design processes. Some specialties are: natural dyeing and printing, indigo dyeing, shibori, blockprinting, and precision dyeing.

Anne studied fine art at Okanagan University. To fund her education she started her own home-based textile business. She feels her greatest education has come through working for Maiwa Handprints, taking workshops from world-class instructors, and travelling.

Currently she archives and maintains the Maiwa Textile Collection and Library. She is also a trustee of the Maiwa Foundation and co-ordinator for the Maiwa Textile Symposium.

Danielle Bush is on staff at Maiwa Supply and one of our newest instructors. Her career in textiles began with sewing and fashion studies at the University of the Fraser Valley. Upon completing courses in design, drawing, drafting, and construction, she was accepted to Maiwa Handprints to do a week-long practicum in the textile collection. In her words: “It changed my life.” 

A veteran assistant for numerous workshops, Danielle is also the Maiwa sample dyer. In 2009 Danielle represented Maiwa at the ISS (shibori conference) held in France, and in 2011 she was a facilitator for the Maiwa Natural Dye Master Class taught by Michel Garcia in Bengal, India. Showing a natural understanding and aptitude for dye techniques, Danielle is a welcome addition to our roster of instructors.