Offered: March 3 & April 7
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Commonweal Garden
Instructor: Rebecca Burgess

If you love the look and feel of naturally dyed fabrics, and want to learn how to make your own creations at home, this series is for you! Join master dyer and author of Harvesting Color, Rebecca Burgess, for this hands on 2-part series that will take you step by step through the process of natural dyeing and printing. You'll leave with the knowledge to make long lasting, eco-friendly fabrics for yourself, friends and family.

Step 1: Making Dyes from Scratch (March 3)
Walk through one of California’s gorgeous intact native landscapes and learn to identify and sustainably harvest native and naturalized species from the bio-diverse grounds of the Regenerative Design Institute. Take part in the step-by-step process of preparing fabric for dye, and learn how to create a dye vat with local materials.  We will prepare three dye vats of various color, and prepare the fabric with mordant (a binding agent).

Step 2:  Dipping and Printing (April 7)
Your prepared fabrics will be immersed in your our homemade dyes—followed by the process of embellishment, utilizing the art of natural printmaking.  Students will learn to carve stamps with chosen imagery, and use this stamp to adorn their fabrics with natural inks. Learn to make your inks from the remnants of pomegranate and windfalls from the black oak.

Participants will need to bring the following materials:
• one yard of woven (not knit), undyed cotton from www.nearseanaturals.com, Dharma Trading Post in San Rafael, or other source.
• linoleum carving tool & linoleum block (about 5"x7") from a local art store on-line (see example of carving set and block)

We will have a limited number of Rebecca's beautiful and informative book, Harvesting Color, for sale at the class for $25. Please bring cash or check if you would like to purchase it.

Workshop Fees

$175 per person
$160 per person if you register with a friend

Multilple Re-skilling Class Discount
If you register for 2 or more re-skilling classes at the same time pay $160 for this 2-part course.

Child Discount
Children are welcome to join this workshop with a parent.

$95 Age 10-16
$45 Age 6-9

Registration

Pre-registration is necessary to hold your space and to allow the instructor to adequately preapare course materials. We recommend that you register as early as possible, as many classes fill up in advance. Classes may be cancelled if the minimum number of participants is not met one week prior to the class. Given the hands-on nature of these classes, there is a maximum 12-15 participants.

All fees must be paid in full prior to the start of class.

Register here

Refund Policy
Cancellations up to 1 week before the course begins will be refunded, excluding a $25 processing fee. No refunds are given after that date.

For questions or additional information,
email us or call 415-868-9681

Workshop Instructor:

Rebecca Burgess is a fifth-generation Marin resident who graduated from UC Davis in art history and nature and culture. While in the central valley, she spent time studying at DQ Native American University. Searching for art outside the academic canon, she found a Native American basket weaver.  The artistry, ecology, and function of the native baskets became her inspiration.  While traveling throughout the United States and Asia she found remnants of ecologically focused textile art traditions.  Through each investigation she became increasingly inspired to begin a local tradition within her own bio-region. Ecological Arts was born in 2004: an organization dedicated to creating, reviving, and teaching art forms that use resources to promote thriving eco-systems.  Read more about Rebecca.

Read more about the Fiber Arts Re-Skilling workshops!