This immersive five-day workshop at Aya Fiber Studio brings together the beauty of botanical printing and the quiet, contemplative practice of Japanese boro stitching. Rooted in tradition and guided by thoughtful making, students will explore how cloth, plants, and hand stitching can come together to create meaningful fiber art.

Dyeing and printing with plant pigments is one of humanity’s oldest textile practices, used for both utility and adornment across cultures and generations. In this workshop, students will learn the foundations of botanical dyeing and printing while engaging in a slow, mindful creative process that honors both material and maker.

During the first three days, we will focus on printing natural fabrics using a variety of plant materials and botanical dyes, with a special emphasis on the benefits of using tannin-rich natural dyes and plants. Students will learn how to properly prepare fabric, extract and modify plant pigments, and achieve layered color. Techniques will include direct botanical printing, combining dyeing and printing methods, and incorporating simple shibori processes to create rich pattern and texture.

The final two days shift into hand stitching and surface construction, drawing from the Japanese boro tradition of mending, piecing, and layering cloth. Students will thoughtfully combine their printed fabrics using boro-inspired stitching techniques to begin an art quilt, a piece of wearable art, or another fiber project of their choosing.

This workshop is ideal for students interested in natural dyeing, botanical printing, slow stitching, and process-driven fiber work. All levels are welcome; curiosity and a willingness to work thoughtfully by hand are encouraged.

Boro, Botanicals and Tannins with Lisa Binkley