The Colours of Summer: A Mindful Natural Dye Workshop

Have you ever wondered how to turn garden blooms into lasting prints on fabric? Or how food scraps from your kitchen might be transformed into vibrant dyes? What might plants teach us about slowing down and deepening our relationships to both ourselves, and each other?

In this 2.5-hour workshop, local textile artist Varsha Gill will guide you through the art, science, and magic of natural dyeing. Together, we will prepare cotton for dye, learn about seasonal dye plants, and create beautiful bandanas using local summer blooms. Whether you’re new to natural dyes or returning to the practice, you’re invited to approach the process with mindfulness and wonder.About the Facilitator:

Varsha Gill () (she/her) is a textile-artist, community arts facilitator, and land-and-arts-based social worker who believes in the transformative power of art for social and environmental justice. Born, raised, and based on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territories, with family roots in Delhi and Punjab, her work is grounded in Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s vision of a world where “people and land are good medicine for one another.” Varsha is completing a Master of Social Work from the University of Victoria, where she focuses on integrating ecological practices into trauma-informed, decolonial approaches to healing. She is deeply passionate about the potential of ecological art forms to build connection, community, and care, and guide us to (re)imagine reciprocal and respectful relationships with the land and one another. 

In this class, you will learn:

• how to prepare fabric for natural dyeing
• basic resist and shibori techniques to create patterns on your fabric
• how to naturally dye fabric using an immersion vat technique 
• how to naturally dye fabric using a bundle dye technique 

• to take home a naturally dyed 24” square organic cotton bandana from local textile supplier, Maiwa
• to take home a resource that will help you continue your natural dyeing explorations at home
• to interact with inspiring textile resource books and journals, and examples of naturally dyed textiles made by Varsha
• to connect with plant relations, your creativity, and community members with a shared interest in sustainable making 

What to bring:* Please bring an apron or wear comfortable shoes/clothing that can endure a splash of dye or two (in case!)

Also check out other Workshops in Vancouver, Arts events in Vancouver.