DESCRIPTION
The “direct application” method can be used with all of the dye groups I teach: cold water fiber-reactives, acid, and botanical/naturals. This process is ideal for creating your own unique cloth for clothing, quilting and other fiber/textile projects. The process involves thickening dye solutions using various agents (like sodium alginate and guar gum) to produce a paste for transferring dyes onto cloth. A thin solution can be painted on; thicker solutions may be stenciled or passed through a silk-screen. The emphasis of these classes and workshops is on creating your own pastes for a variety of applications, surface design considerations, and best studio practices with each dye group.
SAMPLE MODULES:
Workshops
Surface Design I. Fiber Reactives – Short Session. Introduction to Direct Application for the Small Textile Studio/Fiber-Reactive Dyes. Learn how to make and thicken dye-stocks for printing and painting. Cold-water fiber-reactive dyes and their auxiliaries will be used. Primary colors will be utilized to blend a wide variety of hues. We will explore a variety of mark-making tools and techniques, including mechanical resists, silk screens, and stencils, to create layered patterns on cloth. All equipment, materials and supplies are provided. You will leave with samples ready for cure/rinse, recipes & instructions. 1-Day workshop
Surface Design I. Fiber Reactives – Long Session. Introduction to Direct Application for the Small Textile Studio/Fiber-Reactive Dyes. Learn how to make and thicken dye-stocks for printing and painting. Cold-water fiber-reactive dyes and their auxiliaries will be used. Primary colors will be utilized to blend a wide variety of hues. On day one we will look at building a color wheel with dye and begin exploration of a variety of mark-making tools and techniques, including mechanical resists, silk screens, and stencils, to create layered patterns on cloth. Day two will be dedicated to processing and evaluating work from the previous day and then continuing with further experimentation and/or creating a small finished scarf. All equipment, materials and supplies are provided. You will leave with samples, recipes, instructions and other resources 2-Day workshop
Surface Design II. Direct Application Techniques for the Small Textile Studio/Acid Dyes. Pre-requisite: SD1 (above). Learn how to make and thicken dye-stocks for printing and painting using Acid Dyes and their auxiliaries. We will explore a variety of mark-making tools and techniques, including mechanical resists, silk screens, and stencils, to create layered patterns on cloth. All equipment, materials and supplies are provided. You will leave with samples, recipes, instructions and other resources for future exploration. 2-day workshop
Surface Design III. Direct Application Techniques for the Small Textile Studio/Natural Dyes. Pre-requisite: Dyes and Dyeing/Naturals III . Learn how to make and thicken dye-stocks and mordants for printing and painting using 3 natural dyes and auxiliaries. We will explore a variety of mark-making tools and techniques, including mechanical resists, silk screens, and stencils, to create layered patterns on cloth. Indigo will not be explored in this workshop. All equipment, materials and supplies are provided. You will leave with samples, recipes, instructions and other resources for future exploration. A small supply fee (t/b/a) will be added to the workshop cost. 2-day workshop Link to Natural Dye Workshops.
————————-
Surface Design Mini Sessions:
If you want to find out about direct application before investing in the tools and materials, OR you are just curious about the processes but aren’t interested in investing in an intensive, I offer short-duration assisted DIY sessions. These sessions provide access to prepared print and paint pastes and include a brief presentation and demo. A choice of small undyed items will be supplied. Surface design (if desired) will be achieved using stencils and silk screens. Participant will leave with a sample ready for processing (curing/rinsing), and a written overview of the process. Fee covers all materials and supplies. We won’t be mixing dyes or working with formulas in this class. For a more in-depth experience, a workshop is recommended. 3-4 hours
————————–
Surface Design Master Class: 8 week, 3 hr studio session exploring the full range of direct application methods available to the small textile studio, along with exploration of design, mark-making, and creating a finished product or artwork. The exact nature of this class will be partly determined by the class members.
CURRENT OFFERINGS:
None at this time (see above)
If you would like to be placed on my workshop mailing list, please use the contact form below. Thank you!
Kathy Colt 