Introduction to Eco-Printing with Roy Kady (Sunday, June 4)
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
In this introductory workshop, students will learn three different techniques of eco-printing on silk scarves. Eco-printing is a method of dyeing using natural dye extracts and leaves or other botanicals. Students will learn about the different tannins and iron solutions; how to use multiple blankets for a modern and geometric print; a new and eco-friendly bundling method that doesn’t use string; how to shift the pH to create pleasing effects; and how to mix and use natural dye extracts to enhance prints without pre-mordanting. Students will go home with three different samples, exact formulas for tannins and iron solutions, and methods for continuing to dye beautiful scarves.
Since natural dyes can stain clothing and footwear, students should wear dark/old clothes and/or an apron.
Date & Time
Sunday, June 4th from 9 am to 4 pm (with a one-hour lunch break)
Skill Level
Beginner
Material Fee
A $45.00 material fee is included in the workshop registration fee. The fee includes three blank silk/wool 11” x 60” scarves and all of the materials used for dyeing. The instructor will have other silk, wool, felt, and alpaca fibers available for sale if desired.
About the Instructor
Roy Kady passionately weaves and creates with natural fibers to center himself in the cosmos of the universe. His ancestors, grandparents, and his Shimá (Mother) shared with him many stories that weaving was gifted to us in the creation world by Spider Man by taking the natural elements of the universe to construct the first loom and then teaching his counterpart Spider Woman about weaving a web of life. Roy raises a very special breed of Navajo-Churro sheep that was gifted to the Navajo people in the underworld. They have long dual fibers which make them very suitable for the fiber arts that he pursues, whether it be a utilitarian wearable or an art décor for the collector.
Roy’s designs are inspired by his natural surroundings—whether it is colors for his palette, natural fibers of the world, or stories that he has heard from the past and present. He hand processes all of the natural fibers that he creates with and grows several fibers to include in his art as well. He gathers plants to vegetal dye his fibers to create one of a kind woven pieces. His creations represent his heritage: traditions and the ever evolving Art of Navajo Weaving, considered to be one of the last primitive processes still created by hand.
Roy remembers sitting by his grandparents and watching them work with natural fibers; this was his first inspiration to someday become a fiber artist. He remembers wanting to learn the many beautiful processes of working with natural fibers, using our natural surroundings, and thus has been weaving since the age of nine.
Learn more about Roy at Diné Woven Fiber Artist.
Workshop Refund & Cancellation Policy
Questions? Email us at flagwool.workshops@gmail.com.