Natural dyeing workshop, Sunny Bank Mills, nr Leeds – In person – 2 May 2025
Introduction to Natural Dyeing
Join dye expert Debbie Tomkies in our fabulous studios, as she shows you how to create beautiful colours from plants using simple techniques you can repeat at home.
The course is suitable for complete beginners. For those who have done some natural dyeing previously, there is plenty to explore too!
What will you learn on the day:
After a short introduction to natural dyeing, where our dyes come from, the difference between raw/dried dyestuffs and natural extracts and so on, you will be creating a fabulous set of samples, taking you through the colours of the rainbow. With your samples you’ll be able to recreate a huge range of colours, all from natural dyes.
Next, you’ll dye a 50g ball of lovely wool yarn which you can knit or crochet into a small project at home.
After lunch Debbie will be showing you some fun natural dyeing techniques – from solid colour (immersion) dyeing, gradients, dip-dye, speckling, handpainting and more.
You can then choose another 100g of undyed yarn to dye using your choice of techniques.
Debbie will also include a pattern from her own design collection for you to take away so you’ll have a project to take home and make right away!
Do I need to bring anything?
There is a lovely cafe on site and other eateries within a short walk or you are welcome to bring a packed lunch.
Everything is included – yarn, dyes, even gloves and an apron.
PLEASE NOTE – This might get messy, so don’t wear your favourite pair of white jeans!
Course terms and booking conditions
For booking information and to purchase your ticket, please visit the Sunny Bank Mills website here.
‘Loved this workshop. Thanks for your patience and your calm and relaxed style was great. Looking forward to trying out some of these techniques!’ Jo
‘Great fun, great class size, Debbie on hand to help whenever I got stuck. Liked the pace and felt very at ease. I am so pleased at learning these techniques! Thank you!’ Rose x
