Designed for those new to natural dyeing or looking to deepen their practice, this five-week hands-on workshop explores the vibrant world of natural color using plants and materials found right here in Philadelphia. From neighborhood trees and native flowers to kitchen scraps and common garden plants, you’ll learn how to turn everyday local resources into stunning, naturally dyed textiles.
We’ll cover fiber selection, scouring, and best practices for pretreating fabric with tannins and mordants, tailored to the specific natural dyes we’ll be using. Dye baths will be extracted from a variety of sources, including food waste, traditional dye plants, and the local flora growing in our urban environment. You’ll also experiment with shibori resist techniques and dye modifiers in combination with immersion dyeing to create bold patterns and long-lasting color.
Leave with a beautiful collection of naturally dyed textiles, a hand-dyed item of your choice (like a shirt, tea towel, or baby onesie), and a fresh appreciation for the hidden natural color all around you.
Level: Beginners and all skill levels welcome.
Dates and Times: This class runs over five Mondays: September 14, September 21, September 28, October 5, & October 19, 2026 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. (There is no class on October 12th.)
Required Supplies:
- 2 yards of white 100% cotton or linen fabric like this (45″ width). Thrifted sheets work well, but please make sure they are 100% cotton or linen.
- 1 white 100% cotton or linen item from home for dyeing, no larger than a t-shirt (t-shirt, bandana, baby onesie, tea towel).
- Small glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid (small ball jar, pill bottle, spice jar, etc.)
- Dust Mask (KN95 or similar)
- Dishwashing Gloves
- Scissors
- Notebook and pen or pencil
Instructor Bio:
Laura Hricko (she/her) is a textile artist, educator, and lifelong Philadelphian dedicated to the conviction that art is transformative and capable of enriching the lives of all people. Laura’s artistic practice involves various fiber arts techniques, including quilting, mending, embroidery, and textile surface design. Most recently, Laura has been captivated by the processes of natural dyeing, which allow her to feel a deeper connection with nature and history, as she employs these ancient craft techniques to coax color from homegrown, foraged, and food-waste natural dye sources.
Monday evenings, Sept, 14, 21, 28 & Oct 5, 19 from 5:30 – 8:30pm. No class on Indigenous People’s Day 10/12/2026.
