Dyesmithy Classes
Class Fees: DyeSmithy class fees include all materials and fabrics needed for the techniques listed, except for the Shibori class which requires needle, thread, and thimble. For all classes, students should bring an apron, heavy large kitchen gloves, and a sack lunch. You will go home with at least four yards of hand-dyed fabric valued at $68.
Cancellations: All student cancellations must be made one week before the scheduled class time in order to obtain a refund. Minimum enrollment is six students, or the class will be cancelled by DyeSmithy. In case of inclement weather, we will reschedule. You will be notified by DyeSmithy. And remember – be ready to have fun on your “Day to Dye For.”
Special Arrangements: Reserve the DyeSmithy for your private group’s “Day to Dye For.” All facilities and materials available for your group to play all day. Janet will be available to lend advice or demonstrate a technique. Classes can also be offered at your location. Just contact the DyeSmithy to make arrangements.
Gradations and Tie Dyes
This is the classic presentation that includes all of the basics as well as some fun methods for folding, clamping, banding and using shapes to create wonderful patterns and textures on cotton fabric. We’ll begin with dyeing a gradation so you immediately get hands-on experience working with dyeing multiple yards of fabric. This class includes an overview of the chemistry of procion dyeing, and then it moves on to specific techniques such as vat dyeing, low water immersion dyeing in baggies, jars and small containers as well as dyeing parfaits. Single and multiple-color fabrics will be created. All the tools will be provided and you’ll go home with several yards of your own uniquely created cotton fabrics. Several types of cotton, all prepared for dyeing, will be provided so you may compare how they take the dye.
At the DyeSmithy
$75.00/person, all day, 9am to 4pm
Call to schedule for you and your friends
Shibori Binding and Stitching
We will begin with a brief overview of the chemistry of dyeing and then quickly move on to explore the ancient Japanese art of binding and stitching fabric to create designs on dyed fabric. Several types of faric, all prepared for dyeing, will be provided to each student. Some of these techniques require a bit of time to prepare the fabric, so we will get busy binding and stitching in order to complete several multi-colors or overdyes in our day together. Students should bring a sewing needle, thread and thimble.
At the DyeSmithy
$75/person, all day, 9am to 4pm
Call to schedule for you and your friends
Dye Painting and Resists
Prior experience with procion dyeing is recommended, but not required, for this class. We will go to a step beyond dyeing to painting dyes on fabric, both with and without thickening the dye. Also, we will experiment with potato and corn dextrines for making batiks without the wax. These methods can take some time to complete, so be prepared to get busy and make some very special fabric! Several types of cotton will be provided to each student.
At the DyeSmithy
$85/person, all day, 9am to 4pm
Call to schedule for you and your friends
Your Own “Day to Dye For”
You and your friends can come to the DyeSmithy and use the facilities for your own customized Day to Dye For. All day, 9am to 4pm, the tables, toys, dyes, sinks and chemicals will be available to your group to test and try the techniques you choose. Janet will be available to help out and provide guidance as you request. Or, she will teach the techniques that you select for a class tailored to your needs. Just phone the DyeSmithy to reserve a day with your name on it!
At the DyeSmithy
$85/person, all day, 9am to 4pm
Call to schedule
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Dyesmithy Lectures and Workshops
Copyright for Quilters and other Visual Artists
What is an “original” design”? If you change the colors, can you legally copy the design of another quiltmaker? When is a design “in the public domain” so that anyone may use it? These are questions that arise daily for quilters. This lecture/workshop is your opportunity to get some legal guidance without the usual legal fees. Janet is an attorney, licensed in Colorado and Kansas, who shares her knowledge of copyright and contracts for visual artists. Ideally, this subject is presented as a workshop for a maximum of 25. This allows for more interaction and questions. It can also be tailored to a lecture for larger groups. Be sure to pay attention during the presentation, there’s a slide quiz at the end!
1 to 1½ hours, $350
Host to provide projection screen or surface
100 Years of Quilts from my family
A trunk show of quilts spanning more than a century of work by the women in my family. These women have been making quilts for a long time, and I’m fortunate enough to have several of those quilts.
Dozens of quilts show the progress of quilting, beginning with a stunning Victorian Crazy Quilt made by various family and friends and given to my grandmother at her wedding in 1903. There are a variety of scrap quilts made by my grandmothers for everyday use, some in the 1930’s style.
Later quilts by my mother progress into my quilts, including many that incorporate hand-dyed fabrics. There are traditional, tradition with a twist and down-right contemporaries. Several are made from fabrics or blocks exchanged in my bee. Many have won awards at national shows or traveled in national and international exhibits. It’s a fun hour of memories, stories and very special quilts.