This workshop provides you with an opportunity to slow down and explore ways in which we can learn from and be inspired by nature. As part of pigment week, you will learn about the colours we can create from the natural world, turning your dyed fibres into beautiful textile pieces and works on paper. With Sophie’s guidance, you will take an intuitive approach to making, allowing yourself to be led by the creative process and to reflect on nature’s ways. You will work to develop a series of samples and visual ideas, rather than focusing specifically on one finished piece or product.

In the first part of the workshop, Sophie will introduce you to the world of natural dyes and its creative possibilities. You will learn all about sourcing different dyestuff, preparing materials and methods of making a dye bath. Together, we will spend a day dyeing a selection of yarn and fabric that will be yours to use in your stitch projects throughout the week. Sophie will also show you methods in bundle dyeing, as well as using a dye bath to make drawing inks.

Following our day of dyeing, you will spend the remaining time developing ideas with drawing and stitch under Sophie’s guidance. You will undertake a variety of mindfulness exercises that Sophie uses to convey her own visual language. You’ll be encouraged to take walks and soak up inspiration from the gardens, make observational drawings from the plants and foliage, as well as carry out a series of meditative mark-making exercises led by Sophie, exploring repetition, movement and flow. You will then collate your recollections and explore ways to combine and translate your drawings with hand stitch, realising the abundance of opportunity in what you can create, even from just one type of stitch.

Sophie will provide you with a selection of materials to work with. You will have a variety of yarn types and thicknesses, which will be good for exploring different marks with stitch, as well as understanding how colour takes differently in the dye baths. You are encouraged to bring with you anything you find helpful to work with in your drawing and stitch explorations (see in the materials list below).

Included

On this course the tutor will supply some of the materials, including:

• Yarn
• Fabric
• All natural dyestuff (plants and food waste) for dyeing and ink making, as well as a selection of different paper and materials for drawing and stitch

What students need to bring

• A selection of paintbrushes - fine
• A couple of Sketchbooks and A notebook for making any drawings and notes throughout learning
• any favourite mark-making tools (such as brushes, pencils or natural objects)
• Clean and empty jam jars for making inks
• an Apron and marigold gloves
• any gathered natural resources, visual inspiration or drawings
• you are welcome to bring your own natural fibres, such as yarn or small pieces of fabric (prewashed without detergent or softener) for experimenting with dyeing and embroidery
• any interesting plain or neutral/light coloured textured papers that you’d like to bring to use
• any preferred hand embroidery equipment (i.e. Scissors, needles or hoops)

Available to buy

Available from tutor: There may be a selection of naturally dyed yarns available to buy from Sophie.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

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