• Four Weeks

    10 video lessons with step-by-step instructions and support content.

  • Live Instruction

    5 live meetings with Sarah and classmates, including 3 live demonstrations.

  • 100+ Color Swatchbook

    Experiment with silk & linen or cotton fabrics, dye modifiers, and dye mixing techniques. Learn about YOUR local dye plants.

Discover the Joy of Natural Colors

Are you a naturalist at heart with an affinity for sumptuous natural fabrics? Do you eagerly await the changing of the seasons? Are you looking to bring more of the natural world into your creative practice? Whether you're new to fiber arts, or a seasoned crafter looking to expand your skills, this workshop is for you.

The world abounds with color, natural color in the plants around us.  Learn more about your local, natural sources of color.  While natural dyeing is not difficult, most techniques are easier to learn in a Workshop, with someone who has experience and can show you the shortcuts, tips & tricks that come from years of dyeing.  

Meet Sarah

Sarah Tremaine

Instructor

I grew up in New England, close to the forest and the sea. I moved to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 43 years ago, to study environmental sciences, and 20 years ago, I shifted gears and began following my passion for designing Wearable Art using local plant materials for eco prints, natural dyes, fibers, and fabrics. It is so important to me to create and hand-make stylish, comfortable clothing, accessories & home decor that are flattering & healthy for you and for the planet. I have been teaching in person since 2010 and online since 2020. I find I can be so much more complete in my online Workshops since students have more time to absorb the material. I now provide my in-person students with access to my online material & they love it!

What Former Students are Saying...

“The pre-workshop materials were very comprehensive. It was great to have additional resources! Sarah’s teaching was very organized and concise with demonstrations. The class handouts were very helpful and the pace was great!”

Paula

“I had the best time attending one of Sarah's dye workshops. Sarah is a great teacher, she explains things well and invites you to observe every part of the process. The loveliness of the workshop still lingers for me and has inspired me to continue incorporating dyeing into my life.”

Brielle

“Sarah is a great teacher! Her instructions are clear, process well defined and creativity encouraged. I appreciated that I was able to create four lovely silk scarves during a one-day workshop - and that she provided written instructions and supply sources so that we could easily continue with our new skills at home. I’m looking forward to her online classes!”

Kit

Become a Home Natural Dyer

Workshop starts April 22nd

Sign up now

Workshop curriculum

    1. Welcome! How to use the Website & Access Course Material

    2. Gear you Need for the Workshop

    3. Pre-Workshop Survey

    1. Lesson 1.1 Introduction & Kinds of Fabric Preparation

    2. Lesson 1.2 Kitchen Work

    3. Lesson 1.3 Scouring Your Fabrics

    4. Lesson 1.4 Mordanting your Fabrics

    5. Lesson 1.5 Dyeing in the Kitchen - Overview & Demo Dyes 1 & 2

    6. Lesson 1.6 Recorded Wk1 Q&A and Wk2 Preview & BONUS!

    1. Lesson 2.1 Overview & Kitchen Work

    2. Lesson 2.2 Plant Identification for Dyers

    3. Lesson 2.3 Gathering Woody & Herbaceous Plant Material for Dyes (March)

    4. Lesson 2.4: How to Make your Natural Dyes with Different Plant Materials

    5. Lesson 2.5 Dyeing with Woody Plant Materials - Tips

    6. Lesson 2.6 Live Q&A & Preview Wk3

    1. Lesson 3.1: Overview & Kitchen Work

    2. Lesson 3.2 - Dye Color Modifiers - Demo

    3. Lesson 3.3 Live Q&A Wk 3 & Preview Wk 4

    1. Lesson 4.1 - Overview & Kitchen Work

    2. Lesson 4.2 Mixing Dyes

    3. Lesson 4.3 - Dyeing Your Final Project

    4. Lesson 4.4 - Final Live Session - Dye Mixes & Final Projects

    5. Post-Workshop Survey

About this course

  • $249.00
  • 23 lessons
  • 2 hours of video content

Sustainably Harvest Nature's Gifts

FAQ

  • What materials and equipment do I need?

    You will need a stainless steel 4-6qt pot, a cooking spoon, a piece of 100% cotton or a used white 100% cotton pillow case. Also, you'll need an item for your Final Project - either something to up-cycle or a purchase (details will be available after signing up). I have a list of other things that are optional but useful, many are common household items, which is available after signing up.

  • What is in the KIT that comes with the Workshop?

    The KIT has a piece of 100% silk Habotai for test pieces and small quantities of the following chemicals: Alum, Oak Gall Tannin, Soda Ash, Ferrous Sulfate and a special marking pen.

  • What will we make in the Workshop?

    You will make 10 natural dyes, dye silk and cotton test pieces, learn some local botany, create a Dye Journal & make a final dye project, which will bring all of your learning together!

  • What if I miss a Live Session?

    The Live Sessions will be recorded and available for review by any one, during and after the Workshop.

  • What if I fall behind?

    No worries, all of the Workshop content will be available to you for review or re-doing, into the future.

  • It is March, here, and we still have snow, how can I find dye materials?

    NO problem! There are things to dye around you, all year PLUS there are things in the kitchen and floral waste that you can use. We won't be collecting outside until the Beginning of May, in any case.

  • Are the chemicals we will use safe in my kitchen?

    They are as safe as making pickles, digging in your garden or cleaning the fireplace. We will keep our pot & spoon separate from out cooking pots for the duration of the Workshop. All of the chemicals we will use are common on the planet, we do have to be careful and keep some things away from children and pets, but is this any different from how we treat other things in our home? I will teach you safe storage and handling practices.

  • Can a child take this Workshop?

    NOT without the supervision of an adult. There are some important skills I will be teaching, such as not using poisonous plants for dyes & how to identify plants so you know they are safe.

Days Until Start

Sign up to join us for our Earth Day launch!

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See the colors hidden in nature

Natural Dyer Workshop

Includes:

A KIT of selected materials needed for the Workshop,

5 live Zoom sessions,

chat & community support and

unlimited access to the course content.

Information on additional gear & materials needed for the Workshop will be available in post-registration materials.