The Shades of Indigo Blue

Join us for The Shades of Indigo Blue, a hands-on workshop led by natural dyes expert Veronica Buitron. Discover the fundamentals of creating, maintaining, and using an indigo dye vat to color plant-based fibers.

Through hands-on demonstrations and experimentation, participants will explore the beauty and versatility of indigo while learning Shibori, an ancient Japanese resist-dyeing technique that uses stitching, clamping, folding, and wrapping to create intricate patterns on textiles.

This workshop offers an opportunity to reconnect with traditional knowledge while exploring the history, origins, and cultural significance of indigo as an important natural pigment. Together, we will consider how these traditional practices continue to resonate and remain relevant in today’s world.

Participants will learn how to:

• Create and maintain an indigo dye vat
• Prepare and use an indigo vat to dye plant-based fibers
• Explore a variety of Shibori resist-dyeing techniques
• Clean and prepare plant fibers for dyeing
• Experiment with different shades and surface designs using indigo

Participants will take home:

• Sample cards documenting the different shades of indigo explored during the workshop
• An indigo vat recipe to continue experimenting at home
• A cotton bandana featuring their own Shibori design

All skill levels are welcome, and all supplies are included.

Classes must meet a minimum enrollment number to run, so please don’t wait until the last minute to register!

About the instructor

Veronica Buitron is a Miami-based designer and educator specialising in natural dyes and sustainable textiles. She discovered her passion for natural dyes while pursuing her BFA at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and deepened her knowledge through mentorship from Peruvian dyers. Since 2016, Veronica has taught natural dyeing workshops to artisans in Ecuador and textile enthusiasts in Miami. In March 2020, she released her first book, which focuses on native dye plants from her home country of Ecuador. IG @veronicabuitron