The Botanical Dyeing for Beginners Workshop
This 60-minute workshop will help you start your journey into dyeing with plants, using the simple tea bag. Grab a cuppa – literally!
Learn simple steps to set up your dye kitchen
Find out what equipment you’ll need (good news - not much)
Discover what you can use from your own kitchen cupboard (you’ll be amazed!)
Perfect for all ages, and from complete novices through to practising artists
You’d love to start dyeing with plants but you don’t know how.
And it might all be a complete disaster.
That’s exactly what I thought when I first started out.
In fact, I was only 8 years old, but I’d made a giraffe out of pipecleaners for a school project, and I really wanted it to be brown.
So I literally dunked my creation into a cup of tea (no milk, in case you’re wondering). I know – risky. Especially after all that careful twisting and tweaking. But it worked.
And now, having made my whole career out of botanical dyeing, I’m here to show YOU how to get started, so you get instant results *and* immediate joy from working with nature.
You might be thinking this right now…
I HAVEN’T A CLUE WHERE TO START
It looks complicated and I’d really need someone to walk me through it.
I’M TOO BUSY TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW
But I know I need to take a break and do something for myself.
I’M NOT THAT CREATIVE
I was never good at art at school so I’m unlikely to create something beautiful at home.
LISTEN UP
The Botanical Dyeing for Beginners Workshop is for anyone who wants to learn how to dye with plants, with simple, jargon-free explanations and consistent, beautiful results.
I’LL WALK YOU THROUGH THE WHOLE THING.
Before the workshop, I’ll tell you what you need to make sure you get the most out of our time together (hint: just tea bags and a piece of cloth or clothing for dyeing!).
Then, during the 60 minute workshop, here’s what we’ll do …
1
FIRST, I’ll show you what’s possible!
I’ll tell you about my journey to become a natural dyer and show you examples of work I’ve been involved in, from food to film.
2
THEN we’ll prepare your cloth for dyeing
I’ll show you how to prepare a piece of cloth for dyeing, and demonstrate simple shibori (think tie-dye) methods for preparing a cotton napkin (or t-shirt / vest / tea towel / pillow / pants – whatever you have!).
3
NOW you can make your first dye bath
Now it’s time to make a simple dye bath using tea, and dye your prepared fabric! This is the fun (and very easy) part.
4
LASTLY, a Blue Peter lesson
Of course I’ll have one (or several) I prepared earlier… so I can show you the really exciting results you can achieve! Think soft tones of browns and oranges on silks, cottons and linens. 🧡
Intended as a joyful introduction to the art of natural dyeing, this workshop will give you the confidence to use natural dyes in your own home, inspiration for future projects, and the satisfaction of creating colour in a way that feels instinctive and life-affirming.
PLUS – when you sign up, you get access to the workshop, the replay and the resources forever.
Here’s what people are saying
“What a wonderful opportunity to learn a new skill from one of the best in the business. Having never done any dyeing before, I found it very therapeutic and rewarding.”
“It was a fascinating insight into a subject I knew very little about – it was a thoroughly enjoyable practical ‘chemistry lesson’ about something most people probably take for granted!”
“It was a great introduction and a chance to build a bit of confidence before having a go at home.”
This workshop is for you if…
You would like to connect more with nature and the seasons
You would like do something creative, that’s also mindful and meaningful
You want a sense of community around an ancient craft
You’re a complete novice… OR a practising artist, fashion designer, home crafter or artisan. It’s suitable for anyone!
You’re young… OR old! Make sure children are supervised, and it’s a wonderful intergenerational activity
You don’t know where to start, and you want expert help to show you easy steps to start producing beautiful colour at home using nature
I’d love to help you discover the joy of natural dyeing
AND SEE THE BEAUTIFUL RESULTS YOU’LL ACHIEVE.
You’ll learn:
* About different types of fabrics
* How to set up a dye kitchen (including the importance of health and safety)
* Ideas and inspiration to try different processes
* My history and expertise as a self-taught dyer
* Your next steps – how to continue this wonderful new journey
SIGN UP FOR ACCESS TO THE WORKSHOP
LET’S TALK
I’m Sian and I love producing colour from nature.
A warm welcome from me! I’m going to introduce you to the wonderful world of dyeing with plants.
With a family history in textiles, it’s no surprise to find me working with cottons and silks every single day… although I didn’t know the full extent of this history when I started out. I just knew I was in the right place.
And I hope you will too, once you get started.
There is something very satisfying and soulful about producing colour from nature. My journey as a botanical dyer has led me on an adventure in colour over the last 10 years, born from a love of textiles, colour and the environment – and a desire to create something unique.
My plant-dyed ribbons have been featured in the Universal Films costume drama ‘Emma’, in weddings and events around the world, and in MAKE: Cornwall book.
I love to use ancient recipes of natural plant based colours, infused with romance and a little bit of magic, to create colours from the landscape and changing seasons.
I hope that by joining me you will be touched by this magic and experience the joy that connecting with nature can bring.
There is so much to discover – more on that later! – but it only has to start with a simple tea bag, and that’s where we’ll kick off.
I can’t wait to share my easy steps to produce beautiful colour at home using nature, live from my studio in south east Cornwall.
Grab a cuppa and join me!
