Explore the art and science of natural dyeing in this hands-on, 6-week introductory workshop. Introduction to Natural Dyeing (6-part series) with Kelly Lane 6-Part Series Workshop! Date: Thursdays, April 30-June 4, 2026 Time: 6pm-9pm Description:The Fibers Studio at Contemporary Craft is thrilled to introduce you to the Beth Wainwright Dye Lab, an exciting new resource in our suite of studios! Natural Dyeing is the process of extracting color from plant, mineral, and sometimes other (like lichen, mushroom, and insect!) sources to create a broad and colorful palette. The focus of this class will be dyeing fibers with naturally sourced—and minimally processed—matter. In this 6-part series, students will get an introductory overview to processes and practices of natural dyeing, and also become acclimated to the Beth Wainwright Dye Lab here at Contemporary Craft, enabling future independent rental of the Dye Lab for continued practice. Students will learn techniques for working with cellulose fibers (eg: cotton) and protein fibers (eg: wool, silk). Focused attention will be paid to preparing fibers for natural dye, including scouring (fancy word for cleaning) and the use of mordants (additives that assist in the process of dyeing fiber). A variety of dyes will be introduced so that students gain a solid foundational understanding of ways to create palettes of color, and some of the science behind it. Additionally, processes of using color modifiers, like iron and pH shifts, will also be explored as a way of introducing a broad range of possibilities each plant offers. Kelly will also guide students through the process of creating lake pigments, which can be used like paint or ink! Students can expect to complete the series with a book of samples and notes, and a new view of the world around them—the potential of rainbows in so many bits of material, including ordinary kitchen scraps! In addition to gaining an a vocabulary for, understanding of, many natural dye processes, students will also create a unique piece of fiber jewelry using some of the fibers dyed during the series. Here is an overview of the series: Week 1: Overview and Fabric Prep Week 2: Mordants Week 3: Dyeing with whole dyestuff and extracts Week 4: Dyeing with foraged plants and kitchen scraps Week 5: Color shifting and lake pigments Week 6: Making fiber jewelry with our naturally dyed fabrics Tuition: $270 + $50 materials fee Note: We really want you to join us in the studio! Full and partial tuition scholarships are available to offset some of the financial burden of attending a class. Please fill out the application here! You can expect to hear from someone on the CC staff within 2 weeks. If you have any questions, email Jamie Boyle, Fibers Program Manager, at jboyle@contemporarycraft.org, or leave a voice message for them at 412-465-1628. Materials: All materials provided. Location: Contemporary Craft, Timmons Studios (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201...
