Instructor: Suzanne Connors

Eco Printing is a process of using plants to dye and print on fiber through contact printing methods. Botanical Printing is the additional of using natural dyes for added color.

During our workshop’s; participants will explore the alchemy of water, plant materials, heat, and metal and finish the class with beautiful prints on natural fiber fabrics.

In these workshop's we will be creating samples and experimenting with different fibers. We will be using natural plant materials gathered near my Florida home or brought with you from your garden. I will show you processes that have worked well for me and the equipment and bundling techniques that are used.

Be prepared for the wonderful smells that can only come from eucalyptus, and other natural leaves and be open to the magic

The 3-Day workshop will cover:

• THE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR ECO-PRINTING

• FABRIC SELECTIONS & PREP (PLEASE PRE SCOUR FABRICS PRIOR TO CLASS)

• CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR DYEING AND UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE TANNIN PLAYS

• UNDERSTANDING THE PRINT PROCESS ON BOTH PROTEIN & CELLULOSE FIBERS

• MORDANTING COTTON & LINEN FIBERS: we will discuss methods of mordanting cellulose fabrics and mordant all fabrics on day 1

• DIFFERENT METHODS OF PREPARING THE LEAVES FOR CONTACT PRINTING

• DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES FOR LAYING OUT YOUR LEAVES

• METHODS OF ROLLING, TYING AND COOKING BUNDLES

• BUNDLING OVER SIZED FIBER AND CLOTHING

• USING DYE BLANKETS TO GET BACKGROUND COLOR

• INDIGO AND ECO PRINT

Class Time: 9:00 am-4:00pm