Eco-Printing Yarn and Fabric with Natural Dyes workshop in Napa May 19

Create eco-printed yarn and fabric by direct application of flowers and other natural dyestuffs during a day full of interesting discussion and hands-on experience. The workshop will be co-hosted by Brooke Sinnes of Sincere Sheep yarns and Kira Dulaney of Kira K Designs, and held at the backyard dye studio of Sincere Sheep in Napa, CA. Attendees will each dye two skeins of yarn, two silk scarves, and either a cotton drawstring bag or quilting cotton for a small sewing project. Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase additional yarn to dye.

We will meet 10-4, with an hour break for lunch. Since this is a small outdoor gathering, face coverings are optional.

There's an automatic discount if you add four natural dyeing workshops to your shopping cart - one of them will be free! You can use this to come solo four different times, pair up with a friend to come twice, or attend just one workshop as a group of four.

DETAILS

Registration includes two four-ounce skeins of Sincere Sheep's custom Cormo wool yarn (grown and spun in the US) in your choice of fingering weight (total 1000 yards) or worsted weight (total 500 yards), a Kira K Designs knitting or crochet pattern of your choice, two silk scarves, one cotton drawstring bag OR a half yard of quilting cotton, notebook, gloves, and all the dyeing supplies you will need onsite. Additional skeins of pre-mordanted yarn can be purchased onsite.

Please wear clothing that can get stained and comfortable shoes. We will mostly be under a canopy for shade, but you may want to wear a hat and sunscreen. You might meet the household cat or dog, and there may be pollen in the air, so bring or take allergy medicine if you need it. You will also want to bring a bag to transport all of your goodies home.

We will have chairs available, but dyeing is physical work and we will be standing for much of the day. There will also be some lifting of wet skeins, although heavy lifting isn’t necessary.

Attendees will be responsible for their own meals and lodging. For our lunch break you can bring a bag lunch, or we suggest these restaurants a short walk or drive away Southside Café, Hacienda Taqueria, Andies Café, or Grace’s Table.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel with more than one month’s notice, an 80% refund will be sent. An 80% refund will be sent for cancellations with less than one month’s notice only if we can find someone else to take the spot. In the very unlikely event that we have to cancel the retreat due to low enrollment, we will give at least two weeks’ notice, and a full refund will be sent to all registered attendees. If the event must be cancelled due to the Covid-19 exposure in the household or poor air quality, we will offer options including transfer, credit, and refund.

Teacher Background: Brooke Sinnes has been teaching natural dyeing and other fiber arts classes for over 17 years, and is the owner of Sincere Sheep, a line of naturally dyed and thoughtfully sourced yarns. Brooke has a broad depth of knowledge of natural dyeing history and techniques, and the ability to present scientific information in a very accessible way.

Kira Dulaney has worked in the yarn industry since 2002, as a yarn shop employee and later manager, teacher, pattern designer, and event host. Her friendship with Brooke and love for organizing events led to these co-hosted workshops started in 2016.