Creating Blue Workshop

Learn to dye with Woad or Indigo

To dye natural fibres and fabric blue with Woad (indigo), a totally different dye process is needed.  It is a mixture of science, alchemy and magic.  You can never guarantee what will happen, but that is part of the fun of creating blue wool!

Course Outline

Initially we will set up the dye bath with either fresh Woad leaves, Woad balls or powdered Indigo depending on the time of year. While we wait for the bath to settle, we will look at the history of using Woad as a dye and the principles behind how the magic happens.

Key areas covered in the dyeing with woad course:

• How to prepare protein and cellulose fibres for dyeing – what is the difference.
• The principles behind obtaining blue from Woad/Indigo.
• How to prepare the dye bath.
• Health and safety – we will be using a chemical to create the right conditions for the magic to happen.

If you have something small you want to dye, please contact me.  It must be an untreated natural fibre, e.g. cotton, linen, wool, alpaca or silk.

Please note, I do not provide handouts, but if you wish to make your own notes then you are welcome to do so.

Children

All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who has paid in full.  Young people have a reduced rate, please contact me BEFORE booking.

DATES

Sunday 11th May 2025

Sunday 22nd June 2025

Saturday 26th July 2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Courses run at Penally are limited to a maximum of 3 participants. I have 2 large dogs, who are locked out of the way during the course.  If you are allergic to dogs, please let me know and we will find a different venue,

My home is also at the top of 30 steps, so if you have limited mobility this would not be the best venue for you to attend.

All courses run from 9.30am – 12.30pm with a refreshment/comfort break included.  I find that we can achieve as much in this time as in a day long course.

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About the tutor

Jo has taught Science to reluctant teenagers for over 30 years.  She enjoys breaking subjects down into easy-to-understand stages.  She has been a natural dyer for too many years to admit to.  She wrote her first essay on natural dyes before she was 9 years old and attended a Royal Society of Chemistry lecture on the chemistry of dyes whilst a sixth former (being a true geek, she still has the notes!).

Initially she studied environmental and animal science, before researching her PhD into the control of wool growth in sheep.

Over the years she continued her research into the environmental effects of agriculture and natural colours alongside her day job as a teacher.  This led to more research and self-learning to develop her skills.  She has focussed on natural dyeing of wool for over 15 years now and enjoys the jeopardy of not really knowing what colour she will obtain (although it tends to be more reliable now).  Additionally, she has bred rare breed Portland sheep for their fibre.

Over the years, Jo has attended various seminars and conferences (mostly online as she hates to leave Dorset!) and has realised that many dyers (including some that teach natural dye techniques) don’t actually understand the chemistry.  Therefore, with this series of workshops, she aims to help people learn and understand a bit more.

In the future, Jo aims to carry out the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of her hand spun and woven products, when not shearing, growing plants, dyeing, spinning, weaving or teaching….