Natural Dyeing: A Comprehensive Introduction

with Varsha Gill

• Dates: Saturdays, May 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026 (4 weeks)
• Time: 10:00AM – 1:00PM
• Cost:  $200
• Venue: Maplewood House (399 Seymour River Pl, North Vancouver)
• Age: 15+ *All youth must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult must also purchase a ticket.
  
  
  

All materials are included (fabric, wall frame, and dyes). No experience or supplies needed — just bring yourself.


About

Natural dyeing is a practice that sits at the intersection of material knowledge, observation, and care. This four-week course offers a structured, hands-on introduction to natural dyeing techniques, while leaving room for curiosity, experimentation, and material-led discovery.

Led by textile artist, Varsha Gill, the course draws on her interdisciplinary background in textiles, social work, and land-based art practices. Varsha’s work is rooted in ecological awareness, accessibility, and connection to place, and is informed by her ongoing textile project Dyed Smiling, where she collaborates with food scraps, garden-grown plants, and found materials to create naturally dyed textiles.

Across the series, participants will learn how to prepare cotton fabric for dyeing, work with plant- and mineral-based colour, and develop an understanding of several core natural dye techniques. Each session balances demonstration, guided making, and time to work at an individual pace, allowing skills to build gradually over the four weeks.

Participants will complete the course with four finished 24” x 24” naturally dyed textile pieces, suitable for display as wall-based artworks in the home.

Weekly Structure & Techniques

Each week focuses on one core natural dye technique, building skills and understanding over the four-week course.

Week 1: Mordanting & Rust Dyeing

• Learn how to prepare fabric for natural dyeing to create strong, long-lasting colours. Explore rust dyeing, a contact-printing technique that creates unique, earthy patterns on fabric through the natural process of iron oxidation.

Week 2: Indigo Dyeing

• Learn how to prepare and care for an indigo vat, create shibori (resist-dyed) patterns, and dye fabric a rich indigo blue through the transformative process of indigo dyeing.

Week 3: Bundle Dyeing

• Learn how to create botanical prints on fabric by bundling plant material directly onto cloth and steaming it to transfer colour and pattern.

Week 4: Marigold Dyeing

• Learn how to extract vibrant yellow dye from marigold flowers, create shibori (resist-dyed) patterns, and shift marigold from yellow to green using minerals.

What to Expect

• Demonstrations of each dyeing process
• Hands-on making with time to experiment at your own pace

Who This Course Is For

• Beginners curious about natural dyeing and textile processes

• Artists and makers looking to build foundational dye skills

• People interested in slow, material-led creative practices

• Those wanting practical techniques they can continue at home

  No prior experience required

What You’ll Gain

A foundational understanding of natural dyeing methods.

What to Bring

All materials are provided.
Please wear darker-coloured clothing and footwear that can handle a few dye splashes in case of small spills.

Member Discount

15% discount for North Van Arts Members.

Become a member and unlock a world of benefits! As part of your membership, you’ll enjoy a 15% discount on select Arts Education Adult & Youth classes and workshops.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Membership: Become a member of North Van Arts to access exclusive perks.
2. Discount Code: Call us at 604-988-6844 to receive your unique discount code.
3. Redeem Discount: Remember, you must be a member before receiving the discount. Once you have your code, simply follow these steps to apply the 15% off:
   • Browse the available Adult & Youth classes and workshops.
   • During the checkout process, you’ll find a field to enter your coupon code. Enter the code and apply it.
   • Your 15% discount will be automatically calculated and reflected in your total purchase amount.

Ready to enhance your artistic journey? Join today and take advantage of this incredible offer.


Registration closes at midnight on the Wednesday before the first session begins.