Five-day workshops

It’s worth traveling a long way to spend five days exploring colour and pattern on fabric in my comfortable, well-equipped studio overlooking beautiful West Mabou beach.  Whether you’re a beginner or have already done some dyeing, you’ll learn many ways to put colour on cloth and you’ll have time to explore your favourite techniques. I encourage students to learn the basics and then experiment with whatever you find most intriguing. I’ll offer advice and support and you’ll share ideas with the other students. 

              

Day one:  you’ll learn to mix dyes to create a large assortment of colours and values.

Day two:  you’ll create a variety of patterns by scrunching, folding, clamping, or otherwise manipulating the fabric.

Day three:  you’ll use thickened dyes to paint, print, or stencil fabrics.

Days four and five:  you’ll continue to explore the techniques that most interest you, working at your own pace on cotton fabric and/or silk scarves.

In the evenings you can enjoy the Red Shoe Pub, a local concert or dance, or a swim and picnic on one of the nearby beaches.  Sunset doesn’t come until almost 9:00 at this time of year.  See the Visit/Contact section for a list of local accommodations.

    

For more photos see the Fabric Dyeing by the Sea introduction and the Photo Gallery.

The five-day workshop includes:

--all dyes, other supplies, and tools

--20 items to dye (one item is a yard of cotton fabric or a small silk scarf)

--a comprehensive handout

--coffee or tea in the morning and a delicious lunch

--a library of books and journals on dyeing to peruse for inspiration

--the companionship of others with similar interests, fresh sea breezes, and an amazing view!

What you should bring:

--Please wear old clothes and comfortable shoes.

--If you work quickly and/or want to do large rather than small pieces, you may want additional items to dye.  Any cellulose fibre such as cotton, linen, rayon, hemp, bamboo, or silk will work with these dyes.  You may bring your own fabric, white or pale T-shirts, pillow cases, sheets, skeins of yarn, ribbons, linen tablecloths, etc.  Or, you can purchase additional cotton fabrics and/or silk or velvet scarves from me.

This workshop is for any interested person age 12 and up.  No experience is necessary, but people who have done some dyeing are also welcome. The class size is limited to 6.

Schedule: From 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Dates to be determined.

Fee: $325 tuition plus a $175 supply fee plus $50 for lunches for a total of $550, payable at registration. The supply fee includes up to 20 items to dye. Please wear old clothes and comfortable shoes and bring additional items to dye if you like.

To register: Fill out the registration form or call me at 902-945-2744. 

Cancellation policy: The $550 fee is non-refundable unless I have to cancel the workshop. If your plans change and I can find someone to replace you, I’ll return the fee minus a $50 administrative fee.  If I can’t find someone to replace you, you won’t receive a refund.

  

Ann (on left) with students.