Colors from Nature: Getting Started with Natural Dyes

Learn how to make brilliant colors from your local environment with natural dyer and plants-person Deepa Natarajan of the Permacouture Institute. In this three-hour workshop you will learn the basic principles of natural dyes, mordanting, medicinal dyes, making patterns on cloth, and flower printing. We'll be harvesting some dyes straight from the garden at the Berkeley EcoHouse. You will get to take home samples in a range of colors and fibers. No experience necessary.

About the Instructor: Deepa worked with plants and people at the UC Botanical Garden for 5 years putting on their public education programs. During this time she cultivated her love of gardening and natural dyes. She has traveled to South India several times learning from master dyers and teaching workshops on local, natural dyes.

She is currently working with the Permacouture Institute (http://permacouture.org) as the 'Seed to Sew' Project Director to partner with local seed banks and tag seeds for their fiber & dye properties. You can read about her plant adventures on her blog (http://plantspeople.blogspot.com). Space is limited. Pre-registration ensures a spot. Specify when registering if ASL interpretation is requested, (at least 10 working days in advance).