John Marshall:
works in fabric

Pigments
Getting Down and Dirty!

Making a lake from cocheneal:
the mixture is strained, the 'gunk' removed, and finally allowed to dry for later use.

description: The accepted definition of "natural dye" in the West refers mainly to plant sources (insects and a few other animals as a sidebar), most often dyes are vat boiled into the fiber to be colored. Boiling has it's draw backs: it can destroy the luster of silk, vats can be cumbersome, and vats leave one with the dilemma of how to dispose of left over mordants.

The answer: DIRT! Dirt (that is to say minerals) are applied much as water colors, using a clean soy milk based binder.

With a limitless range of colorful pigments available in nature, rich tones may be applied to create translucent moods highlighting the luster of the fiber, or they may be used to mat out areas to create contrast between the lustrous and the opaque.

Pigments need not be limited to rusts, and earth-found minerals. They may easily be manufactured from vegetable as well as animal sources. The ideal solution to what to do with a spent vat! When properly applied, all the dye (including any mordants) are completely consumed in the process, eliminating the pollution potential of careless dumping of dye pots.

This course covers thoroughly the use of pigments, as well as how to make one's own.

It's clean, it's economical, and it's right under our feet!

one day workshop: the course will be primarily lecture, with an abundance of samples to illustrate the techniques being discussed.

The materials' fee for this course is $75.00. This includes paperwork and key samples.

three day workshop: the course will include extensive lecture and visuals plus hands on experience. As with any natural product, there are many variables involved. Students will have the opportunity to work on both yardage and yarn. The hands on portion will allow every one the opportunity leave with a thorough understanding of this delightfully clean medium.

The materials' fee for this course is $150, includes paperwork, key samples, and all consumable supplies required (dyes, yardage, soy) as well as use of necessary equipment.

maximum number of participants: Up to twenty-five (actually, more OK).

facilities and equipment requirements: We will need a table area of about 2' x 3' for desk work for each person (this means two people to one conference table), a source for water (may be a restroom nearby).

MATERIALS FEE DUE DAY OF FIRST CLASS