Eco-dyeing: Colouring Cloth with Plants

Join artist Nicole Barakat for a fun and engaging series of workshops playing with plants to colour cloth.

Nicole will generously share her skills and knowledge from her 20-years experience working with plant  materials  to dye cloth in ethical and sensitive ways. Learn a number of eco-dyeing techniques including, immersive dyeing, resist dyeing and eco-printing. Use readily available plant materials with affordable and accessible techniques that can be replicated at home. All materials will be provided, however you are welcome to bring plants from your own garden and fabric or clothing you may wish to dye. The fabrics should be white or cream and 100% natural fibres including wool, silk, cotton or linen.

This workshop series is designed to be a supportive, safe and playful learning environment, accessible to people of all skill levels. All of the art-making materials required for this program are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own materials, if you wish.

An overview of the workshop series is as follows:

Week 1: Immersive resist dyeing: Work with basic resist dyeing techniques to create beautiful patterns on fabric. Learn how to repare plants, fabric and mordants for the dye baths.

Week 2: Steam printing: Use plants and rust to make wonderful prints and patterns on cloth.

Week 3: Hapazome: Learn how to create colourful prints and patterns by pounding fresh flowers and plants directly onto cloth.

Week 4: Over-dyeing: Create layers of colour and prints through processes of over-dyeing and printing onto previously dyed and printed cloth.

Best suited for ages 18+

Important information:  

$40 workshop fee covers all 4 classes. Individual classes are not available.

All materials provided

Duration: 6pm - 7:45pm, 1hour and 45mins

Dates: 15 October, 22 October , 29 October, 5 November

Location: Level 3, Makers Space

Registration: Spaces are limited. Beginners are welcome

No previous experience needed. Please book considerately as we do not provide refunds for change of mind.

For access requirements please contact PHIVEtickets@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

About Nicole:

Nicole learnt to dye cloth with plants 25 years ago on the banks of the Murrumbidgee on Wiradjuri Country, under the guidance of artists Julie Montgarrett and Ruth Hadlow. Nicole has developed her dyeing practice in ethical and sensitive ways, in line with her SWANA cultural practices that are rooted in re-membering and re-gathering her ancestral knowing. In 2021, Nicole created a large-scale, collaborative eco-dyed artwork with the Rohingya Women’s Development Organisation for the Powerhouse Museum’s exhibition Eucalyptusdom.

Image credits: Nicole Barakat

PHIVE sits on the lands and waters of the Burramattagal people of the Dharug nation and we acknowledge Burramatta as significant place of ceremony, story and tradition. We pay our respects to Dharug Ancestors and Elders, past, present and future and extend our respect to all First Nations people we work with, joining this program and visiting PHIVE.