Dyeing with plant pigments has been practiced for as long as humans have made cloth and

wished to beautify it. Printing with plants has been practiced for generations through such

traditions as Easter egg adornment and in the past few decades as a way to adorn fabrics.

During this five-day workshop, students learn about the history of dyeing and printing with

plants; how to prepare fabric for dyeing and printing; ways to secure and alter botanical dye

color on cloth; and many ways to get patterns and images on fabric with plants.

During the first three days, we will use a variety of local plant materials as well as other botanical

dyes to create color and patterns on our fabrics. We will focus on printing plant material onto

fabrics; dyeing solid and mottled colors with botanical pigments; printing and dyeing together;

and using some shibori techniques in conjunction with botanical printing and dyeing.

During the fourth and fifth days, students will learn and practice hand piecing, contemporary

applique and hand-stitching/quilting techniques well suited to these fabrics and then use their

recently dyed fabrics to begin an art quilt, art fabric panel, or garment.

Instructions for Preparing Fabric for Eco-Printing & Dyeing

It is very important to have clean fabrics on which to print and dye. Even fabrics that

look clean can have residues on/in them that will block the absorption of pigment, so I

recommend using the following techniques to prepare natural fabrics for dyeing and

eco-printing. (These are pretty much the instructions found in Jenny Dean’s book “Wild

Color,” which is one of my favorite reference books for botanical dyeing.)

For Plant Fibers (cotton, linen, hemp, rayon, Tencel)

Fill a large pot with water + (1-2 t. washing soda + 1-2 t. of cleaning solution like Dawn

dish-washing liquid) / gallon of water.

Stir the water, washing soda, and cleansing liquid to mix, and then add your plant-

based fabric. Heat the water to a simmer, and then simmer the fabric for at least 2 hrs.

Drain off the liquid and gently rinse the fabrics. Air or machine dry them.

If you do not have a pot large enough to undertake this process, I have scoured plant-

based fabrics in my washing machine with success. I use the "sanitary" or hottest cycle

setting and add the washing soda and Dawn/cleansing liquid directly to the machine.

That cycle on my machine runs about 1.5-2 hrs.

For Protein Fibers (silk, wool)

These need to be cleaned much more gently than plant fibers.

Wash protein fibers in warm water and ph-neutral cleansing liquid or Dawn dish-

washing liquid. This can be done on the stove-top or in the washing machine on a

gentle cycle. If done on the stovetop, put the fabric in cool/room-temperature water and

bring the water and fabrics to a warm temperature together. Keep the water and fabric

warm and stir gently for about an hour. Rinse gently several times. Air dry.

Botanical Printing & Stitching with Lisa Binkley