This workshop is full and in session.
The next registration opens December 9th at 9am (Pacific Time).
$200 USD*
Workshop begins on September 9th and runs for 10 weeks.
Learn to successfully mordant cellulose and protein fibres. Work with cloth and yarns to achieve vibrant, clear colours using classic natural dyes.
In this workshop students will make over 18 separate dye-baths on a variety of fibre types (including wool, cotton, linen, silk, and hemp/cotton). The results will be shifted with iron and indigo for a complex palette. Exhaust baths will be used and these will also be shifted with a modified indigo vat. Students will receive an introduction to shaped resist and indigo dyeing. Throughout the course students will receive professional instruction from Maiwa founder Charllotte Kwon and her daughter Sophena Kwon.
This workshop is designed to work for you wherever you are in the world. New content becomes available each week over the course of 10 weeks and will remain available for 3 years from the date of purchase. Work as content comes online or at your own pace.
Included in the Workshop:
• 45 evocative instructional videos.
• Concise written instructions and recipes along with downloadable PDFs.
• Access to a robust Q&A section with instructors answering questions 3 times a week.
• 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.
For more detailed information view our Frequently Asked Questions.
*COURSES ARE PRICED IN US DOLLARS TO PERMIT PAYPAL AND E-PAYMENTS THROUGH TEACHABLE.
NOTE: SUPPLIES ARE SOLD SEPARATELY. SEE DETAILS BELOW ON HOW TO PURCHASE A SUPPLY KIT FOR THIS WORKSHOP OR VIEW THE SUPPLY LIST TO BUILD YOUR OWN.
What people are saying about the NATURAL DYE WORKSHOP
Learn About:
WATER, pH, SCOURING
Understand the role your water plays in dyeing, what pH is and how it effects dyeing and how good scouring will set you on the path to great colour.
THE MORDANT PROCESS
Learn simple effective mordanting techniques for both cellulose and protein fibres. Understand how mordants work and why we use them.
YARN & FABRIC DYEING
Working with your materials in a dyepot. How to manage fabrics and yarns. Mistakes to avoid. Tips for success.
CELLULOSE FIBRES
Together we will work through 18 dyepots on a variety of fibre types. We will use both yarns and fabrics.
PROTEIN FIBRES
Work effectively with your materials. Learn how to use dyes in their raw form and still achieve rich even colour.
EXHAUST BATHS
Get every bit of colour out of your dyebaths. Learn efficient ways to use water and manage your workflow.
IRON COLOUR SHIFT
Colour shift with iron using techniques that will not harm your fibres.
INDIGO OVERDYE
Learn how to make and maintain an organic indigo vat, while also using it to overdye your samples.
SHAPED RESIST & INDIGO
Work with timeless patterning techniques of shaped resist to dye lengths of cotton in an organic indigo vat. Learn how to revive a vat and put a vat to bed.
DISCUSSION
Review the concepts covered in the workshop in-depth from the perspective of working dyers managing professional production. An inspirational conclusion.
What do I need for this workshop?
We have put together a supply kit for this workshop. You may also source your own dyes, mordants, cloth and yarns — either locally or from your favourite supplier. We are happy to fill any gaps in your list — maiwa.com.
THE NATURAL DYE WORKSHOP
Supply List
From dye pot to measuring spoon — a list of everything you need to complete the workshop.
THE NATURAL DYE WORKSHOP
Supply Kit
All your dyes, additives, mordants, scours, fabrics and yarns in a kit. Priced at a discount and only available to enrolled students. The easy way to prepare for this workshop. Option to purchase is sent with your registration.
Student Price $495 CDN (Regular Price $618.75 CDN)
Free Shipping in North America
Meet Your Instructors:
Charllotte and Sophena Kwon. Together they are a dynamic teaching team with decades of natural dye experience and a long history working with artisan dyers.
CHARLLOTTE KWON
Charllotte is the owner of Maiwa Handprints Ltd. and the director of the Maiwa Foundation. Through Maiwa, Charllotte also runs a textile archive and research library located on Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada. Under her direction Maiwa has produced four documentary films and a number of print publications. She also guides Maiwa’s substantial online presence.
Charllotte travels extensively each year to research handcraft, work alongside artisans and master craftspeople, and to supplement her natural dye research. Always looking to extend natural dye use, she also teaches dyeing workshops with artisans around the world and has planned a series of natural dye master classes to bring exceptional artisans together.
SOPHENA KWON
Sophena grew up with Maiwa as the family business. She has learned much from the artisans Maiwa collaborates with (including master dyers in India, Africa, Peru, and Mexico) and from experimenting alongside her mom, Charllotte.
In 2009 Sophena studied with Michel Garcia in France. She has taught natural dye workshops with Charllotte (including at the Penland School of Craft and at Shakerag Workshop U.S.A.), and developed and taught workshops for the Maiwa School of Textiles. In an effort to bring natural dyeing to a new audience, she founded the immensely successful Indigo Social in 2015. In 2016 Sophena was invited to present at the Mood Indigo Exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum. In addition to her natural dye work, Sophena is a skilled photographer and is the lead designer behind Maiwa’s clothing collections.
What students are saying...
This has been an amazing course!
The format for the lessons is perfect. 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 / The Natural Dye Workshop
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.
- Michele / The Natural Dye Workshop
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, experi-menting, learning...I hope Sophena and the baby are doing well. I wish them and you all the happiness in the world.
- Margarida / The Natural Dye Workshop
What is the cancellation policy?
Please see our terms of use for our cancellation policy.
See also our Frequently Asked Questions.
How long do I have access?
Students have access to course materials for 3 years from date of purchase. Regular Q&A support is available during the 10 weeks the course runs. We include a robust collection of student questions (and our answers!) for each module of the workshop.
Other Maiwa Workshops
Free Lessons From Maiwa
As part of our commitment to the textile arts these lessons are offered free of charge.
