2 Day Workshop – Intro to Botanical Dyeing & Slow Stitching with Sue Connor
Course Overview
DAY 1:Introduction to Botanical Dyeing- Extraction and Bundle Methods with Sue Connor
Spend a day immersed in colour from mother nature. This workshop will introduce you to the magic and beauty of natural dyeing. You learn which plants and kitchen waste can be used for dyeing, how to effectively mordant fabric, both protein and cellulose fibres, the use of natural additives to modify colour and the techniques of bundle and extraction dyeing. Through extraction dyeing and the use of modifiers we will create at least five colours. You will be given wool, linen, cotton and silk fabrics as well as 50 gram of wool yarn and 5 cotton embroidery floss to experiment with. Using the bundle method, you can choose to create your own unique silk scarf reflecting the beauty of nature or work on several smaller samples.
DAY 2: Slow Stitching with Sue Connor
Be introduced to the mindful, meditative practise of slow stitching. We will explore Indian Kantha, Japanese Boro and tradition European embroidery stitches. We will discuss colour, form, and texture. You will be encouraged to take time to connect with your fabric, thread, and needle so together you can create beautiful abstract textile art that tells your story. You can use you own fabric, thread, needles and pins or I will supply you with a kit including all you will need (unique botanical dyed natural fabrics and threads, embroidery scissor, high quality pins and needles)
Teacher Profile
Sue has always been passionate about creating and making. Maybe it was inevitable. A child of the 60s and 70s growing up in the rainbow region, she and her friends were influenced by the alternate culture that was all around them. Making their own clothes, tie dyeing, spinning and weaving was what they did. When Sue first moved away after college to start her career in teaching, she was devastated that her spinning wheel and loom wouldn’t fit in the car. Her boyfriend, now husband, made her a small flower press so she would still have some making to pursue. Ok, skip forward nearly 35 years and Sue is still making and creating. She’s back in the Byron Bay Hinterland living with husband, Micheal on a small property with their cows, chooks, cat and resident possum.
Materials List
Day 1 – $45 all materials supplied
Day 2 – $50 if purchasing kit
Workshop Terms
While our fibre art workshops are usually held in the gallery's historically significant workshop space, the workshop venue may change according to the needs and wishes of the artist tutor. Likewise, the times of the workshops may vary depending on the type of workshop and its presentation.
Timeless Textiles Gallery will, at its own discretion, where a participant is unable to attend a fibre art workshop, an exchange or credit note will be made available or a refund of the deposit or payment in accordance with the following Workshop Refund Policy.
Major commitments must be met, and in fairness to all, the policy concerning the refund is:
Cancellations 3 months prior to workshop date - refund 80% fees paid
Cancellations 2 months prior to workshop date- refund 50% fees paid.
Cancellations 1 month prior to workshop date- no refund.