Natural Dyeing Specialization: Master Eco-Friendly Textile Techniques

The colors that surround us | Anabel Torres

Now I will share my favorite influences, the clothing of the past, useful exercises to understand the interaction of colors and the importance of exploring and studying your environment to experiment with the pigments around you.

Influences | Anabel Torres

Now I will share with you some books where I get inspiration and references for my work. These are books on color, textile design, symbols and archetypes.

Influences | Tatiana Polo

In this class I will present to you some books by authors and artists from different areas, which are part of my research and also which inspire me.

Influences | Amada de Beaufort

Where do you look for inspiration? I find it in high and low places. Color is all around us and creates an emotional response.

Module 2

Step into the world of natural colors with Lucrezia Moro, who will guide you through the art of transforming seasonal plants into beautiful, lasting pigments. You’ll learn how to select and prepare fresh materials, extract their unique hues, and dye yarn entirely from scratch. Along the way, you’ll create your own color samples—both a practical reference for future projects and a stunning piece to display as a reminder of nature’s beauty.

14 lessons (3h 1m)

Materials and tools 1

Let's see together how to set up our small home laboratory.

We continue our journey into the world of materials and dyeing tools.

Materials and tools 2

13m

The different types of fibers

Together we know the structural differences of the fibers and their different response to etching and dyeing.

17m

Stains and dyeing materials 1

Let's find out how to choose stains and where to find the dyeing material: from our kitchen to the lawns around the house.

Stains and dyeing materials 2

In this second part, I will tell you about some extracts and plants that may be useful to you. Also, I'll tell you something about upcycling and foraging .

Fiber preparation: binding, washing and soaking 1

Let's learn about the different fibers to best use the most suitable etching.

Fiber preparation: binding, washing and soaking 2

We continue to better prepare our yarns so that the dyeing can be as effective as possible.

Let's see how to navigate the complex world of the interaction between mordants and vegetable and animal fibers.

Etching

Color extraction from soft, leathery and hard dyeing material 1

I present to you my method for adjusting the extraction of color from different materials based on their consistency.

Color extraction from soft, leathery and hard dyeing material 2

We conclude the approach to color extraction by seeing how to work with leathery and hard dyeing material.

Dyeing and toning techniques

After extracting the color bath, we proceed with the dyeing according to the respective characteristics of each dyeing material we have used.

16m

The catalog: how to keep track of the results

In this lesson, I will explain to you as a catalog all my dyeing experiments (satisfactory or not). If the results are not noted, all our efforts are useless!

18m

Tips to avoid the most common mistakes

Now we will talk about that series of unexpected events that can occur during the various stages of the process and that often become perceptible only when we take our textile out of the dyeing pot.

Different ways of using your work

To conclude our journey into this wonderful world, I want to show you the different possibilities you have to use your work.

The dyeing log will be your main means of documentation and consultation in this course, in this lesson I will show you different logbooks, their purpose, the indispensable sections and their possible variants.

Module 3

Let Anabel Torres introduce you to the vibrant world of natural dyeing, where fibers and fabrics come alive through sustainable methods. Inspired by the endless colors of nature, Anabel shares her process for transforming raw pigments into rich, lasting hues. You’ll explore eco-friendly techniques, experiment with different materials, and compile your own dyeing logbook—a trusted resource to preserve every formula, note, and color swatch for future creative projects.

12 lessons (1h 26m)

Dyeing Log

Pigments

Now, I will show you different examples of pigments, their collection, tricks and classification.

Fibers, textiles and tools

Differentiating natural fibers from synthetic ones is very important for the success of dyeing. Here I will show you how to do it. We will see the indispensable tools to pigment and I will give you some considerations, before starting this beautiful process.

General method to start dyeing

The next step is to accommodate the fibers in skeins, prepare the sets of samples and document weights and measurements in the tables of your logbook. Then I explain all this step by step.

Washing and biting

Let's continue with the washing and biting, these are very important processes to permanently fix the color in our fibers and textiles. We will use safe and easy to find mordants.

Dye with vegetable pigments

Next, I will teach you to dye with different plant pigments: leaves, flowers, barks, stems, roots, husks and seeds.

We will try now with mud and earth, I will teach you a sustainable and simple method.

Dye with earth

Dye with cochineal grana

Now I will tell you about the cochineal grana and its historical importance. I will explain how to spray it, how to dye it correctly, and the possibility of changing the color by modifying the pH of the water.

We will discover how to prepare a fructose-based organic indigo bath, how to reveal the valuable blue color in a fiber and how to obtain different intensities of blue with the number of dives and oxidation times.

Dye with indigo

You will learn how to obtain other colors using the dyeing technique. I will give you some tricks to make predictions, imagining the superposition of one color over another and its transparency.

Detained

Tied Tied

Now we are going to create different textures using tied dyeing, I will show you variants with whole, powdered pigments or with a base of another color and their interaction when folded.

Our blog

Now, I will show you the result of my blog, how I use it and some applications of natural dyeing in different pieces.

Module 4

Join Anabel Torres in uncovering the secrets of transforming plants and natural materials into vibrant organic powder dyes. Using ingredients like turmeric, pomegranate peel, and dyer’s weed, you’ll learn to capture nature’s hues in pigment form for painting and textile work. Discover how to apply these colors to garments, décor, or fabric pieces, and experiment with screen printing using lake pigments to create truly unique designs. This journey will bring fresh, sustainable beauty to every piece you craft.

11 lessons (1h 40m)

Natural Dyes

In this lesson, I will talk to you about what dyes can be used to extract the pigment powder. I'll also explain why not just any plant works and give you a traditional stamping recipe. Later, I will explain the differences when stamping when using lacquer pigments.

Lacquer Pigments

Now I will continue to delve into lacquer pigments, their historical importance, their variants and main characteristics.

Materials and Tools

It is time to review in detail all the materials and tools that will be necessary for this course.

Preparation of the Work Area

In this lesson I will tell you about the work area that I recommend and some security measures that you must take into account.

Lacquer Pigment with Calcium Carbonate

In this lesson I will teach you how to make lacquer pigments using sodium carbonate to obtain an opaque pigment.

Lacquer Pigment with Sodium Carbonate

Now you will learn how to make lacquer pigments using sodium carbonate to obtain a translucent pigment.

In this lesson, I'll first explain some common problems that come up while I'm working. Then I'll talk about some tricks for specific pigments like blonde and indigo.

Tips and Variants

In this lesson, I'll show you step by step how to make a traditional soy milk-based binder for textile printing.

The Natural Binder

Now that I've shown you how to make a natural soy milk binder, in this lesson I'll show you how to use commercial textile binders and how to use them.

Commercial Binders

It's time to see how to use the pigments I created on a fabric! In this lesson, I'll teach you how to apply shellac pigment textile paint using a screen and screen printing ink.

Garment Application

To end this unit, I will show you other possibilities and variants in which you can use the pigments you created.

Other Uses

Module 5

Travel into the rich world of natural dyeing and Shibori with Tati Polo, whose 25 years of expertise bring depth to every fold and stitch. Explore traditional Japanese methods like mame shibori, using grains and seeds for intricate motifs, and arashi shibori, where fabric is wrapped around a core for striking designs. Working with organic materials, you’ll discover how to create vibrant colors, textures, and shapes, turning simple fabrics into tactile works of art that blend cultural heritage with creative expression.

14 lessons (2h 2m)

Materials for dyeing and practicing Shibori

In this class, I will show you the materials you will need to have on hand. Both for the dyeing processes and for the practice of shibori. Most of them you probably have at home!

Finding the ideal fabric

In this class I will show you some types of fabrics to help you choose which type of fabric you prefer (or the most affordable) to use in your process. You will see that each fabric, depending on its origin, requires different needs. Hence the types of cleaning, pre-treatments and treatments necessary to dye them.

Fabric and mordant treatment

In this class I will teach two forms of treatment, I will show you what materials and utensils you need to have on hand. After the treatments, the fabrics will be ready to receive interventions and will be ready to be dyed.

Color and dye extraction

In this class I will present the chosen material that will be used to dye the samples.

Mame shibori and mold

In this class you will see what mame shibori is and you will follow the shape of the guide pattern to help you locate and apply the seeds and beads to the fabric.

Practicing mother shibori

Practical lesson on the loop traditionally used in mame shibori. This type of loop makes it easier to shape and apply grains consecutively to the fabric, without the need to interrupt between the loops of one grain and another.

Mame shibori: Varied sizes and demarcation

In this class I will do 2 mame shibori practices; in a fabric using varying sizes of seeds, but with free application. On the other piece I will pre-mark the fabric, using soybeans, which will result in an orderly pattern.

13m

Arashi shibori

In this class, I will demonstrate the practice of arashi shibori using a rigid core (a ppr tube). The tissue will be wrapped over this tube, which acts as a base for applying the technique. I will demonstrate two possibilities for wrapping the fabric over the tube, they are variations of applying the same technique.

In this class I will dye the shibori samples and demonstrate how to obtain a variation of effect. The dye extracted from the pomegranate peel will also be used in combination with iron water to obtain a second color.

Dyes

Observation of results and ironing

In this class, I will finally open the shibori samples! This is a moment when I am always surprised by the beauty of the resulting effect, no matter how many times I have practiced it, it is special! Fabrics must be completely dry before removing seeds and threads. We will also talk about whether or not fabric ironing is necessary.

13m

Analyzing samples and preparing the fabric base for an adornment.

From observing the samples, I will show how I combine two different three-dimensional shapes so that they can be applied to a single piece.

Application of two types of shibori in a single piece

Now that we have the project defined, let's apply what we learned to the processes.

Dyes, finishes and piece ready!

I will dye the piece, using a very special and very Brazilian dye, extracted from the leaves of the crajirú, a very popular plant in the Amazon. After ironing (if it has been done) and with the fabric completely dry, I will remove the seeds and lines. As the purpose of use is body, a necklace, at the end I will apply the ribbons (these were also dyed) Step by step, the materialization of something unusual, unique appears, which I can display and use in different ways! A sculptural jewel with plant color!

Other applications of the techniques

In this class, I will present images of other applications related to the theme of 3D shibori, obtained within the process with seeds and the tube Of course, don't forget that it is also possible to take advantage of these effects without the three-dimensional aspect, so in the end, there is no need for ironing or drying, just remove the seeds and lines, dry and iron. In fact, with the beautiful effects that are printed, the fabrics can have various applications, in clothing and decoration.

Module 6

Follow Amanda de Beaufort into the enchanting world of botanical dyeing, where flowers and plants become the tools for creating one-of-a-kind eco prints. Known for her rich textures and vibrant, unpredictable hues, Amanda shares her organic process from selecting fibers to preparing them for lasting color. You’ll experiment with natural dyes, bundle-dyeing techniques, and steaming methods to reveal striking botanical patterns. By the end, you’ll have crafted unique designs that capture nature’s beauty in every thread.

10 lessons (1h 18m)

The Dyer’s Toolbox

To start with, you'll learn what you need to start your home dye studio. These things can be sourced from thrift stores and yard sales. Never use dye pots and utensils for food.

All about Natural Fiber

Let me show you how to choose the correct fiber for plant dyes. Even though you'll look at cellulose and protein fibers, this course will focus on how to use plant fiber.

Nature’s Magical Colors: Types of Dyestuff

Now that you know where to find the color, you will learn how that color reacts with fiber and how the color manifests itself

Pattern and Textures

Botanical printing can give your piece a fantastic range of patterns and textures, depending on how you manipulate your dyestuff. Let’s quickly cover the different textures and patterns you can create with your palette of plants.

Preparing Fiber for Dyeing: Scouring and Mordanting

Learn the building block of creating long-lasting dyes. Scouring and mordanting will prepare your fabric to accept plant color.

Here you will learn different bundle dyeing techniques in printing on fiber. I will teach you how to create textile patterns and unique plant compositions with folding and resist techniques.

Printing Techniques 1

Printing Techniques 2

During this second part of the lesson, I will show you different techniques you can mix to create unique pieces. I will also share some tips and tricks to make it easier.

Extracting Color: Steaming

To finish this unit, you will see how to unlock the color of plants and flowers to transfer it to your fiber.