Join master natural dyer Debbie Tomkies for an immersive, hands-on course exploring the art of natural dyeing specifically for handweavers. This course is designed to deepen your understanding of colour, fibre, and process, and to give you the confidence to dye your own warps and wefts for weaving.
Over the course, you’ll learn how to prepare fibres, hand paint warps using natural dye extracts in a wide range of colours and apply a range of traditional dyeing techniques to achieve rich, harmonious hues. Debbie will share her extensive knowledge of working with natural dyes, including how to plan palettes and how to create subtle variations and depth in handwoven textiles. For 2027 we will also be introducing an indigo vat on Sunday to allow for overdyeing.
This course is ideal for handweavers who want to integrate natural dyeing into their practice, whether you’re new to natural dyes or looking to refine your approach. Expect a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, plenty of practical experimentation, and thoughtful discussion about sustainable, place-based textile making.
Over the course of the weekend expect to learn:
Fibre preparation and mordanting for weaving yarns
Working with a range of natural dye extracts
Colour planning for warp and weft
Achieving consistency and variation in dyed yarns
Caring for naturally dyed textiles
Dyeing a set of sample cards - an invaluable reference for future projects
Dyeing a warp to your own colour scheme
Using a range of techniques to dye yarns for your weft
As always, we will provide a delicious lunch and plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits to keep the creative energy flowing!
Let us know if you need our list of local accommodation to stay in gentle Mid Devon for the weekend.
Join master natural dyer Debbie Tomkies for an immersive, hands-on course exploring the art of natural dyeing specifically for handweavers. This course is designed to deepen your understanding of colour, fibre, and process, and to give you the confidence to dye your own warps and wefts for weaving.
Over the course, you’ll learn how to prepare fibres, hand paint warps using natural dye extracts in a wide range of colours and apply a range of traditional dyeing techniques to achieve rich, harmonious hues. Debbie will share her extensive knowledge of working with natural dyes, including how to plan palettes and how to create subtle variations and depth in handwoven textiles. For 2027 we will also be introducing an indigo vat on Sunday to allow for overdyeing.
This course is ideal for handweavers who want to integrate natural dyeing into their practice, whether you’re new to natural dyes or looking to refine your approach. Expect a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, plenty of practical experimentation, and thoughtful discussion about sustainable, place-based textile making.
Over the course of the weekend expect to learn:
Fibre preparation and mordanting for weaving yarns
Working with a range of natural dye extracts
Colour planning for warp and weft
Achieving consistency and variation in dyed yarns
Caring for naturally dyed textiles
Dyeing a set of sample cards - an invaluable reference for future projects
Dyeing a warp to your own colour scheme
Using a range of techniques to dye yarns for your weft
As always, we will provide a delicious lunch and plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits to keep the creative energy flowing!
Let us know if you need our list of local accommodation to stay in gentle Mid Devon for the weekend.
Image 1 of 18
Image 2 of 18
Image 3 of 18
Image 4 of 18
Image 5 of 18
Image 6 of 18