This past weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting a natural dye workshop at the beautiful King’s Park and Botanical Gardens, surrounded by the vibrant blooms of the September Everlasting Festival. With the birds singing and the view of native flowers all around us, it was the perfect setting for a day of creativity and discovery.

We kicked off the workshop with a deep dive into the magic of dyeing using all native eucalyptus and banksia leaves. Participants learned how these Australian natives can produce incredible colours on fabric, each leaf revealing its unique dye story.

Next, we took a playful turn with dried flowers, using them to create eco-printed bookmarks. This was to showcase all the colour that can be achieved when using dried flowers. All the flowers we used came straight from my garden, grown with the purpose of creating a beautiful hues and prints on fabric.

To guide our creative explorations, we first made a colour chart using different acids and alkalines, showcasing how these substances can transform the colours of various flowers. This chart became a helpful reference as participants dove into creating their own art pieces, using flower petals to paint directly onto paper. With the guidance of the colour chart, they could predict and play with potential colour changes, making each artwork truly unique. We also revisited the tataki zome (flower pounding) method, where participants pounded flowers onto paper to transfer the pigments. Inspired by the colour chart, they enhanced these prints further with acids and alkalines, experimenting with layers of colour and texture.

The grand finale was the big reveal of our naturally dyed scarves. After carefully removing the leaves, participants had the option to dip their scarves in a diluted iron water solution. This final step changed the colours even more, deepening the tones and adding a moody, rustic touch to each piece. The excitement in the room was palpable as everyone unwrapped their fabric bundles, revealing beautiful, one-of-a-kind patterns that reflected the natural world around us.

Being surrounded by the breath taking scenery of native flowers in full bloom, with the gentle hum of nature all around us, made this workshop truly special. I loved seeing everyone’s excitement as they experimented and created, each person bringing their own touch to the dyeing process.

Thank you to everyone who joined me on this creative journey! Your enthusiasm made the day unforgettable. I can't wait to see how you incorporate these techniques into your own dyeing adventures. Keep an eye out for future workshops—there’s always something new to explore in the world of natural dyeing!