WORKSHOPS 2025/26
I hold workshops in person at my home/studio in Hampshire, between Southampton and Winchester where you will be surrounded by dye plants and free-range chickens.
Group sizes are kept small in my studio but I am also happy to offer bespoke workshops in your own venue, just email me with a date/venue and I will let you know availability.
Block Printing
£100
Spend a peaceful and creative day learning about the wonderful art of block printing in which you will decorate a handloom Indian scarf to take home.
We will start by having discussions on the importance of colour and pattern in our lives, and looking at my collection of blocks, photos and books- ranging from Indian artisans to British craft revival. Feeling inspired you will experiment with your own designs before going on to cut your own block. You will be given plenty of time and encouragement to ask questions and to play with ‘walking your block’ on paper, resulting in multiple pattern variations and repeats before stopping for lunch of homemade vegetarian soup.
In the afternoon you can continue to experiment until you feel ready to start planning your final scarf design. This is a very informal but informative day from which you will gain an insight into cutting lino blocks and the joy of pattern design.
10-3pm
5th October 2025
22nd March 2026
Silk Scarf Workshop
£100
Using plants and flowers we will t to dye our scarves. Due to the wonder and vagaries of the seasons and growing habits, plants and colours which can be achieved will vary through the summer.
You will prepare (mordant) the scarf using easily replicated techniques and then dye using your chosen plant material, before stopping for lunch of homemade vegetarian soup.
Fully refreshed and with scarfs dried, you will have the opportunity to play with different patterns by folding the scarf with household objects and wooden blocks before finally dyeing your own unique silk scarf.
10-3pm
1st November 2025
5th April 2026
Indigo Workshop
£100
In this workshop we will look at lots of examples of blue dyed fabric and resources before making an indigo reduction vat in the morning using Indian indigo powder. You will use a couple of different techniques to create patterns in the fabric before submerging in the wonderful vat.
There will be a midday break for a communal lunch (included) before returning to the creativity.
This is a mindful day involving simple stitching, folding and dyeing which will see you leave with some sample pieces or a 1metre length.
The groups are kept small so you will have plenty of time to learn.
10-3pm
DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED - Join mailing list to hear dates first
Natural Colour and Weave with myself and Sharon Kearley
www.sharonkearley.com/
Slow down and spend a peaceful and creative couple of days immersed in colour, pattern and nature in this two day creative approach to natural dyeing and weaving.
The first day will be spent mordanting and then making dye baths using flowers from the garden, producing a delightful palette of colours, hues and tones, which you will use to dye wool and small fabric samples.
Day two and a head full of colour, swimming with ideas, Sharon will teach you how to observe pattern, repetition, shape and texture in your surroundings using your dyed piece. You will then have time to explore and interpret your ideas, with support from Sharon, before making your own woven tapestries on a frame loom.
This two day course will allow you to play and explore through gentle encouragement, whilst enjoying cups of tea, homemade cake and a tasty vegetarian lunch.
All materials provided.
11th and 12th October
10-3pm both days
This workshop is held at Project Workshops, set within the Test Valley in Quarley, Andover.