Simply Irresistible Dye Techniques at NSCCD

I will be teaching a number of textile workshops at the NSCCD (Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design) during the winter semester 2017. 

The first workshop I will be teaching is Simply Irresistible Dye Techniques. During the course we explore a variety of resist dye techniques. Methods include the Japanese art of shibori (stitching, wrapping and knotting fabric) using indigo. 

Shibori with indigo

We also create a book of samples (cotton, silk and wool) experimenting with natural dyes such as madder (beautiful turkish reds), cochineal (red from a beetle), log wood (purple), yellow from turmeric and weld. We over dye the fabrics to achieve further colours (greens, browns, orange) and also add different mordants to achieve different colours (beautiful greys).

Different colours of madder in the dye pot
(cotton, silk and wool)

We also play with alternative dye methods such as rust to create fascinating patterns.

Fascinating patterns dying with iron (rust)

And we create three dimensional fabrics using thermoplastic techniques which utilise heat to alter the fabric, and melt-off which removes metal from metal fabric coated materials. 

Sea Rhapsody
Three dimensional fabrics using melt-off and thermoplastic
techniques

Other resist techniques explored in the class include painting directly onto the fabric to create hand drawn designs. 

Hand drawn resist onto cotton dyed with indigo.

This class is simply irresistible with all techniques that are demonstrated and lots of fun. The great thing about the course is that all these techniques can be easily done at home and along with learning new techniques and you can also put your new knowledge towards creating a final project within the class.

Apron made with shibori indigo techniques

Registration closes January 16. 

Call Alexis, the NSCCD Studio Coordinator, at 902-492-2524. If you're leaving a message, please make sure to - Leave your Name, Number, and the Class you want to sign up for. If you're in a hurry, you can also call Becky, the NSCCD Administrative Coordinator at 902-492-2522.

Simply Irresistible Dye Techniques

Mondays, January 23 – February 27 

6:30-9:30 (18 hours/6 weeks)

$185 + materials fee $50 payable to the instructor on first day of class

Class Size: 6 (no experience necessary)

Irresistible Dye Techniques - Flour Paste Resist

It was the last of the six week Irresistible Dying Class at NSCCD on Tuesday and we saw a number of ideas and experiments through to completion. 

We had fun experimenting with cochineal dye (natural red dye that comes from a beetle) and the different colours it will create depending on the different mordants used to fix the dye. Alum created a scarlet pink/red, where as vinegar created a plum purple. 

Shiori resist using cochineal dye and discharge techniques

We dyed using different shibori resist techniques, and then combined these with the application of discharge dying (which is the removal of colour) using bleach.

silk resist dyed using cochineal and indigo natural dyes

Sophie explored stencilling a flour paste resist onto cotton. After it had dried she then brushed screen printing ink over the resist.

And making the flour resist was very easy, and much quicker than the Japanese rice paste method.

Flour Paste Resist

Ingredients

150g plain cooking flour

200ml (¾ cup) cold water

150ml (2/3 cup) liquid gum arabic

Method

Mix the cold water and flour in a mixing pot, stirring well. Heat the mixture on the stovetop, stirring continuously until a thick paste is formed.

Allow to cool slightly, then sire in the liquid gum arabic.

Strain any lumps through a sieve (very important if you want to pipe the design onto the fabric. not so important if you are painting or stencilling the design)

Sophie with her flour resist design

A detail of the flour resist

Using a similar resist method, this time gel glue on cotton, the class created an interesting resist which when dried was dipped into shibori. 

gel glue resist with indigo

We also had fun experimenting dying with rust, which is so beautiful in colour, and so easy to do. 

Dying with rust.

I have put together a pinterest board of ideas and techniques here if you would like further inspiration and ideas.