a colourful week

The children's workshop on Tuesday was pretty full on - no pix!

a gazebo was set up outside the restaurant on lovely decking

oh dear, we moved it on to a grassy area - can you imagine the

result after dyeing t shirts, forty three in all, should you ask!

People strolled through the garden, interested in what we were

doing. As one group of children finished, another group formed.

Buddhist monks sat around relaxing. Perhaps they felt at home.

Tie dye flags and t-shirts?   Could have been McLeod Ganj.

(they were performing in a concert that evening)

Yesterday was a much more relaxing workshop.

Babs taking out ties on a muslin scarf

on the line indigo with soy wax resist

Mary's amazing clamped cloth

it's oxidising at this point

comos daisies with spots of blue

another fantastic day

after a post workshop tidy up I grabbed a slightly grubby pair of

white churidar (Indian trousers).     Fork and cotton bud pattern

over dyed potato print rings

Definitely the last indigo workshop here in 2014(!) 
is on 6 September - a couple of places available

summer tie dye

Two workshops this month as part of Arts Week organised for the school holidays.     Last year I was overwhelmed with eager little dyers.     Forty t-shirts (in one day - but I did have a helper, thank goodness).     

First one is tomorrow.   I am gathering all I need today.    Loads of t-shirts in different sizes, old shirts and rubber gloves to ward off spilt dye - plus advice on putting feet firmly under the table.   Well, we don't want dye on posh trainers do we?!!!

a few essential ingredients

chickpeas, rubber bands and sponge brushes

pots of dye ready to go

I've been taking children's workshops for years.   Over time the workshops been refined - hints and tips to myself!    The children have no fear of colour, love splashing painting on the dye, and, if time permits there are always squares of cloth to make flags. 

however, there is something new to consider

the loom band monster!

annual outing

Summer Blast at Walford Mill ( walfordmillcrafts.co.uk).  A fabulous range of workshops for children, and I get to take the dyeing workshop.

first I upgraded some patterns

bulls eye

                                                               accordion pleats

swirl

it was chaotic and colourful fun 

In the morning there were nine eager students.  T-shirts and squares of fabric were bound, tied and pleated ready to be dyed using  dozens of elastic bands and handfuls of chickpeas

The afternoon I set up a small indigo vat.   A different pace to this workshop.     Eight students this time who spent an hour preparing their t shirts and fabric.   Then the magic of the indigo vat was revelled.    The enthusiasm was amazing.   I explained how to use the vat.    They listened, and then just splashed away!  Rivulets of indigo, bubbles in the vat.

There was also lots of smiles and laughter plus a very impressive line of blue cloth.

A little bit of the washing line.   The t-shirts have been bound using large stones gathered from round and about.    I can tell you that the shapes emerged were wonderful    The now blue stones were returned from whence they came.

Sadly no other pics - too involved in dipping and dyeing.    I have to thank Jazz my very able assistant, and the children who were marvellous.   Maybe some of they are wearing their master pieces today!