Dyeing as if the Earth Mattered
A Natural Dye Workshop
with
Michele Wipplinger
June 23 – 25, 2011 New Harmony, Indiana
Dyeing as if the Earth Mattered
Colors are everywhere in nature. However, to create a wide range of tints, only a few dye plants are necessary: yellows from wood and leaves, reds from roots and insects, blues from fermented leaves, browns from tannins and purples from red overdyed in indigo. Fibers, too, give us a natural range of shades from plant and animal sources. The combination of natural dyes and fiber types offers the artist a color palette that is inexhaustible.
This workshop focuses on an ecological approach to natural dyeing by creating multiple color combinations in one dyebath. Using diverse fiber types such as wool, silk and cellulose substrates, in combination with Earthues’ natural dye extracts, four artful color combinations are possible, including an indigo overdye. This method uses one dye pot per team of two and two indigo vats. From this simple, low water and low heat method, a multitude of hues emerge, creating a unique and diverse color palette.
Sponsor: New Harmony Artists Guild
Contact:
Title: Dyeing as if the Earth Mattered
Instructor: Michele Wipplinger
Founder, Owner Earthues
Where: Sara Campbell Blaffer Potter’s
House, New Harmony, Indiana
Date: June 23 – 25, 2011
Cost: $500 (cost includes tuition and
materials fee)
$680 (cost includes tuition,
materials fee, and 3 nights
double-occupancy + breakfast
at the New Harmony Inn)
Contact the New Harmony Inn for room reservations at 800-782-8605 or visit http://www.newharmonyinn.com/
Make checks payable to: New Harmony Artists Guild
Mail to: Docey Lewis, Workshop Coordinator
P.O. Box 6
New Harmony, Indiana 47631
This workshop is limited to the first 15 registrants. Scholarships available for Indiana residents.
Sara Campbell Blaffer Potter’s House
The workshop will be held in the Sara Campbell Blaffer Potter’s House in the New Harmony Historic District. Purportedly designed by Richard Meier, the studio is situated between Philip Johnson’s famous Roofless Church and Richard Meier’s Athenaeum. During the time of the Harmonists (1814-1825) local gardens were planted with natural dye plants. A demonstration garden planned by contemporary indigo dyer Rowland Ricketts will be on display during the workshop.
This workshop will require 10 large enameled or stainless steel dye kettles. One to two participants will be assigned to each dye pot according to the number of participants.
There will be different color combinations in each dye bath. Each student will receive the full range of colors regardless of the vat they tended.
