Imagine dyeing your own fibers and stitching a sampler that looks antique as soon as it’s finished! In this class, students learn to over dyeing cotton floss to achieve an “aged” look. As natural fibers age, hues lessen in intensity, sometimes from exposure to air and environmental factors or from the lack of stability in the original dyes. This workshop will make fibers “instantly age” and produce a beautiful collection of less intense, variegated fibers, as complements are mixed and gray, brown, and golden washes tone down colors. Students will learn a variety of techniques to produce variegated results and also tips on stitching with over dyed threads. 

3 hour class

Another exciting dyeing class which allows students to explore a variety of dyeing techniques: painting, sponging, speckling, and working with both dry and wet linen; a free form sampler will be worked, finished with fringed four-sided stitch and mounted on a custom painted box without glue. (all levels)  

1 day class

Spend the entire day dyeing cotton threads, linen fabric and silk ribbon with emphasis on delicate shading, antique sampler palettes, and backgrounds. (all levels)

1 day class

Imagine dyeing a variety of silk threads and ribbon and making your very own custom coordinating palettes! This class will introduce students to basic over dyeing techniques using Au Ver À Soie’s®: Soie d’Alger, Soie Chenille à Broder, Soie Perlee and Trebizond in addition to YLI® silk ribbon. This class will cover the delicate process of dyeing silk to make exquisite and delicately variegated threads, ensuring colorfastness and delving into the techniques and tips of stitching with over dyed threads. After a session of exploring dyeing techniques, we will begin the wonderful and exciting process of designing a colorful bouquet complete with a ribbon bow to tie it all together. Our project will be a tooth fairy bag, potpourri bag, gift bag or ring bearer’s pillow. Class will cover making a twisted cord closure and hem stitching ready made cocktail napkins together for a professional finish.   

2-day intermediate level class with project or1/2 day dyeing only class for all levels.

Dyeing With a Purpose

An entire day of dyeing; the morning spent in learning how to make variegated, colorfast cotton skeins and the afternoon making ranges of tints, tones and shades. (all levels).

Custom classes available to suit group (ex. variety of fibers, types of dyes, techniques and length of class or meeting).