Indigo dye workshop with Brittany Lee of Botanica Farms

Purpose:

Build a Moderate Sized Indigo Fructose Vat for patrons to custom dye fabric. Patrons will also learn about the technical aspects of indigo and how it contrasts with other naturally dyed fabric, they will also learn the history of how indigo fabric came to become popular in the United States under the abuses of enslaved people, they will learn a brief history of the context of indigo in places and spaces around the world, providing context for how indigo has persisted and why it is more commonly synthesized now.

Brief indoor lecture (35 mins) where participants will learn the dye process and see example swatches, indigo work, and various shibori ties to achieve different natural patterns.

Participants will learn how to properly scour their fabrics, but this will be prepared ahead of time. They will be informed of safety protocols in relationships to workshop.

Outdoor- 1 Vat will be shared amongst participants, rotating places in line for dipping fabric. At the end of the workshop, participants will handwash fiber together to impart communal practice of fabric washing.