Learn to create these colours, using just three dye plants, Woad, Weld and Madder. I also offer the chance to learn how to prepare fleeces for use and some of the ancient textile techniques. Please sign up to my course email list if you want to be informed of up coming courses.

I have taught science at all levels from year 4 to final year degree students, including adults, for over 30 years. Currently, I am the textile specialist for the Ancient Wessex Network. Additionally, I regularly give demonstrations at events and am available to give talks. Contact me if you want to learn about possible talks.

Natural Dyeing Workshops

Working in small groups, the workshops will cover all you need to know to start using natural dye plants safely and effectively. A practical course, you will leave with samples and detailed information sheets.

The courses will focus on a particular dye plants, as I specialise in just Woad, Weld and Madder. The techniques you will learn for Weld and Madder will enable you to go out and explore natural dyeing. Woad is a totally different type of dye plant and you will learn how to dye without the use of chemicals.

These three plant dyes were used from the Bronze age until the mid 1850s. They are amazing, because they give a full range of colours, as seen in the Medieval tapestries and, going further back, the Bayeux tapestry. There is increasing evidence of their use in the late Neolithic too.

Interested? Then join my course email list to stay up to date.

Wool Processing Workshops

Are you interested in learning more about the processing of wool? I also teach carding on hand and drum carders, combing and spinning on wheels or drop spindles. You could also learn more ancient techniques, like nalbinding (the precursor to knitting) and using a lucet to make cord. Please sign up to my workshop email list so I can let you know when these are happening.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Jo