On Saturday August 7, I’ll be teaching an indigo workshop at the beautiful Olympia Farm right here in Guilford. This is the perfect class for anyone interested in the beautiful blue of indigo, no prior experience necessary. Learn all about this special dye and various shibori techniques to make your own unique patterns. Come with a friend to learn together, or come on your own (it’s always an interesting and welcoming group!) See details below. Email Anne at olympiafarm@att.net to hold your spot.

Embrace the blues and get ready to dive into the exciting world of dyeing with indigo! We’ll spend the afternoon learning about indigo dyeing, exploring shibori techniques to create patterns, and end the afternoon visiting the farm and enjoying Olympia Farm cheese, with a glass of wine or soda.

GUEST INSTRUCTOR: Fiber artist Laura Berkowitz Gilbert/Tocco Studio

HISTORY: We begin with a brief history of indigo and discuss the various indigo growing regions across the world. Laura will focus on Japan and share her experience meeting with seventh-generation indigo farmers, dyers and designers in Tokushima on the island of Shikoku.

USING AN INDIGO VAT: We will discuss indigo as a dye, how it differs from other natural dyes, and practically, how dyers get the indigo to adhere to the fiber. We explore why the fabric is green when it is pulled out of the vat and then slowly turns blue.

SHIBORI: We will learn the resist dye technique called shibori and how it works with indigo. Laura will show us several types of shibori bindings and how to maintain a healthy vat while dyeing. Then we will spend the remainder of the class dipping our prepped textiles in the vat multiple times to achieve rich color and pattern. Laura will provide cleaning and care instructions to implement at home.

We will wrap up our afternoon with a wine and cheese reception, and the opportunity to meet and greet the Olympia Farm sheep and goats.

FEE: Your $95 fee includes workshop materials and instruction (Laura’s prepared organic indigo vat, equipment for binding and dyeing the fiber, handouts with instructions/resources and a soda ash solution for your final rinse at home), wine and cheese reception, and two hand-dyed (by you!) tea towels, valued at $24 each!

Reserve Your Spot: email Anne at olympiafarm@att.net

Please bring a pair of long dishwashing gloves and consider wearing an apron or clothes you don’t mind getting blue.

I'm teaching an indigo workshop!