If you are interested, please click on the purchase button to be added to the one year course specific mailing list.
The course will be hosted on a special community learning platform - please see course details below:
If you like to check out what to expect and what the course has to offer, click on the Blog posts below ( I will add more as I am writing them):
Natural Dyeing Course ~ What to expect
The Natural Dye Academy ~ Here we are!
Natural Dyeing Course ~ Module 1 Fibres & Textiles
Natural Dyeing course Module 2 Mordanting, Part 1 - Alum
Natural Dyeing course Module 2 Mordanting Part 2 & 3 - Iron and other mordants
Natural Dyeing course Module 3 Tannin
Natural Dyeing course Module 4 Indigo
The Course
This course is fully online, consists of 12 modules; scheduled over 12 months, starting mid January of each year. This course is fully online, consists of 12 modules; scheduled over 12 months, starting mid January of each year. Please keep in mind that spaces are limited to a maximum of 15 students per group, with a total of 30 spaces available.
Booking will open in September of each year for the following year. Each module will open on the first of the month giving you access to written and illustrated material, to guide you through the particular topic of that module. Each module also contains a quiz and a project; which will result in recipes and samples for your portfolio on that topic.
The Structure
With each module you will have approximately 1 week to read through and familiarize yourself with that topic, followed by an online live session to revise the material and help you prepare for that module's portfolio work. On the last week of each month, there will be a second live session to review your portfolio work, consolidate knowledge for that module and answer any questions remaining. All live sessions will be recorded and available for anyone unable to attend on the day.
Each of the modules are supported by dedicated Collaborative Exchange Spaces on the platform where participants can post their creations, ask questions and connect on that topic. During the final project work, there will be a 20min 1:1 session for each participant.
The Content
The 12 modules will cover the following:
- Fibres and their differences (Jan)
- All about Mordanting (Feb)
- Using Tannins (March)
- Creating Blues (April)
- Creating Yellows (May)
- Creating Reds (June)
- Creating Secondary Colours (July)
- Creating More Secondary Colours (Aug)
- Lake making and other Processes (Sept)
- Printing and other Techniques (Oct)
- Industry standards/Personal project (Nov)
- Personal Projects & presentations (Nov/Dec)
The Special addition
Throughout the course there will also be an option to take part in 5 online sessions, taught by organic gardener and seedsaver Tristan Lienhard; on growing Woad, Weld, Madder and other dye plants organically. This will include organic horticultural principles, sowing and specific requirements for each crop, harvesting and seed saving.
The Celebration
All projects will be presented and celebrated during the final 2 weeks of the course. The course will conclude in the first week of December with a final live session, where each participant will receive their AppleOak FibreWorks Natural Dye Academy certificate.
The Time Required
Depending on the module you will need roughly 12 -25 hours per month to read through the course work, attend the live sessions and complete the portfolio work.
Course outcome
After attending this course, you will be able to open up your own professional dye practice, incorporate natural dyeing in your art or crafting business successfully, teach others, take it further or simply become a really good home/hobby dyer.
If you are interested, please click on the purchase button to be added to the one year course specific mailing list.
Recent questions:
Do I need a big space? - No. everything can be done in your kitchen space, if you have a window available, as you might not like every smell that comes your way. However, you will need a dedicated cupboard for equipment and a place to make your Vats/dye liquor and leave overnight or longer.
Poisonous ingredients? - No. I used to work with hydros Indigo Vats in the past, but have moved away from them and everything I handle is safe. Some tannins can cause some irritation if you are sensitive, so I would recommend a mask for powdered ingredients.
Equipment? - Yes, you will need some dedicated dyeing equipment and some place to store it.
How much will it be? - Please keep in mind that it is an online, in person,1 year long course and will cost 1,350 Euros. With an option of a monthly payment plan at 125Euros a month.
Will the course be mainly theoretical? Due to the very 'scientific look' of the modules I have written so far, I have been asked several times, if it is mainly 'brainy' theory instead of 'hands on' coursework. Please be assured, that every module comes with project work and the reading material is only providing a basis and overview. It is totally hands on, as you are building your own portfolio/reference/recipe book over the year, including a final project of your own making.
I live in the US does it make sense for me to take part? Absolutely! This course will cover worldwide sources of dye and mordants and I will tailor ingredients you need according to your country, especially if you prefer a local source. After all, the portfolio is suppose to work for you and not for me :)
How about ingredients? - We can supply you with an assorted box of all the ingredients and materials needed throughout the year, which will be purchasable in our online shop. However, seeing that it will be your own portfolio I would strongly recommend to use the fabrics/ fibres etc you are thinking of using in the future. Some ingredients, depending on country, might be better to source locally, but I will get in touch with you, after registration.
Please be aware, that we can't send any plant material to Australia, any students from there will need to source their own supply.
Not included: A3 size Portfolio (this will be easier to organize locally) Here is what I use:
A3 Elements Wirebound Sketchbook - 50 sheets 180g - Art & Craft (artandcraft.ie)
Black Paper Cartridge 180g Portrait A3 40 Leaves - Daler Rowney - Cork Art Supplies Ltd
If you have any further questions, let me know :)
