Join farmer, educator and natural dyer, Susan Wiencke in Corbett, Oregon in the Columbia River Gorge for an immersive experience harvesting and coaxing a unique natural blue from Japanese Indigo plants grown on the organic farm, onto fabric.

Stencil Printing and Salt Rub Method - Sat June 28th 9am-1pm

In this class, we will be harvesting fresh leaf indigo and coaxing the color from the plants to make stenciled designs on silk and cotton cloth. You are welcome to bring your own stencils, or design and cut out your own stencil during class. You will also have the opportunity to dye cloth one solid color if you wish, using the salt rub method. Students will take home their unique designs on a cotton bandana and a silk scarf. 

Class: $90 Materials Fee: $50

Patterned Resist - Sat July 19th 9am-1pm

In this class, we will be harvesting fresh leaf indigo and coaxing color from the plants to create a unique patterned design onto fabric. We will learn various folding and Shibori (Japanese folding techniques) to create beautiful, one of a kind patterns. Students will take home a large, light-weight cotton shawl and a silk bandana. Class: $90 Materials Fee: $50

Fresh Leaf Blues + BYOF - Sat Aug 23rd 9am-1pm

n this class, we will be harvesting fresh leaf indigo and coaxing color from the plants to create an indigo leaf printed or solid blue cotton canvas bag and a silk scarf. Since the indigo fields will be their most abundant at this time, students will also have the option to Bring Your Own Fibers (BYOF), up to 500 grams to use for pounding or whatever blue designs your heart desires. Students will be responsible for scouring (washing) and pre-treating the fibers you bring. Instructions on how to do this will be emailed after you register. Class: $90 Materials Fee: $60

About fresh leaf indigo

Using fresh leaf indigo to turn fabric a unique shade of blue is a fun sensory experience that utilizes the complex contents of raw Japanese Indigo (Persicaria tinctoria) leaves. Dyeing with fresh leaf indigo is a process that is only available when the plant is growing fresh in the summer and early fall. This process is different from dipping fabric into a reduced vat for classic indigo blues. Fresh leaf dyeing will help you develop a closer relationship with this special plant. Colors you can get from fresh leaf dyeing can range from seafoam green, light blue, teal blue, deep teal blue, and a classic blue. Fresh leaf indigo works best with protein fibers (silk or wool), but also works well with cotton that is pre-treated and cured with soy milk.