Next Step Natural Dyeing: Overdyeing & Multi-Color Patterns

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A $15 CASH MATERIAL FEE DUE TO THE INSTRUCTOR.

This class can be taken as a stand-alone, but is designed to build on the basics included in the Intro class offered in the morning. We’ll talk about how procedure and chemistry can work for or against you in creating textiles with multi-color patterns, and complex colors created by applying one natural dye over another. One I’ve shared these basics, the class is all about having fun and seeing what happens when you try this and that. I’ll share examples and inspiration, then let you experiment with creating your own colors and combinations. The possibilities are endless, and the tone of this class is light and playful. If any of this sounds interesting but intimidating, I strongly encourage you to come and approach this as an opportunity to play. Materials fee of $15 (cash only, payable to instructor on class day) includes vats of indigo (blue), osage orange (bright yellow), logwood (purple), and madder (red/brown/orange tones).

These dyes are all plant-based and vegan-friendly. You’ll also have use of a wide variety of resist materials and loads of fabric swatches for experimenting; and students may bring about 3 items to dye (consider an adult tee as the median item size). Instructor will email more specific details and instructions to registered students before class. Students who are also taking the morning Intro to Natural Textile Dyeing class pay a total of $20 materials fees to cover both sessions.

Items to be dyed should be primarily (70% or more) natural fiber, including cotton, linen, bamboo, silk and thin wool, woven or knit fabric. PLEASE DO NOT bring denim, canvas, cotton or wool fleece, yardage cuts over 1 yard, yarn or other heavy fabric items like sweaters or hoodies; these items require a significant amount of extra dye and they hog the dye pot space. We’ll allow people to dye extra items as time and space allow.

Laura Davis is a fourth generation Californian who has spent the past 22 years living in Los Angeles. She is a lifelong addict to all kinds of textile arts, including crochet & knit, sewing, embroidery, weaving, spinning, dyeing and botanical printing. California is a rich environment for materials to use in dyeing, printing, and other arts & crafts, and Laura spends a great deal of time exploring and discovering, collecting, and experimenting with ways to use our natural bounty in textile arts. Laura has been teaching fiber art classes through Griffin Dyeworks since 2015 and now teaches tie dye, ice dye, natural dye, and other textile arts classes for adults, teens, and children throughout the year.

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The Camera Obscura Art Lab hosts six artists-in-residence annually, and offers workshops with a changing roster of residents and teaching artists. Here you can learn dance moves, polish your writing, sew a seam, check out artists at work and find a creative community!

Web: santamonica.gov/camera
Contact camera@smgov.net & 310-458-2239
Fee-based events at ow.ly/IehoU
Free events at santamonicaculturalaffairs.eventbrite.com
Join our email list at smgov.net/artsignup
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Directions: The Camera Obscura Art Lab is at 1450 Ocean Ave on the west side of Ocean just north of Broadway, in Palisades Park.

Train/Bus: Metro terminus at 4th St/Colorado, 4 blocks away. Upon exiting the station go west on Colorado to Ocean Ave, cross the street to the Pier and go north in the park just past Broadway. metro.netor bigbluebus.com.

Parking is $6 or less for 3 hours in Parking Structure 6 (2nd between Broadway and Santa Monica), and $5 on weekends at the Civic Auditorium lot just down Main Street at 333 Civic Center Dr. Meters on Ocean Avenue; $2/hr maximum 3 hours. More info: smgov.net/parking.

Registration: For fee-based classes, we encourage reserving online with a credit card. Some classes accept drop-ins. Bring cash to cover material fees, if applicable. Refunds/Transfers: Full refunds are given if class is cancelled before taking place - enroll online with confidence. For student withdrawals for any other reason, $15 processing fee for each multisession activity refunded; one-time classes & expended material fees are nonrefundable. Requests must be made in person, by mail, fax (310-899-0840), or email to communityclasses@smgov.net within 24 hours of first class meeting. All class dates, times, locations, and instructors are subject to change