Spring Clean Forage & Dye
Transforming the wild abundance of spring into a palette of soft sage on natural fibers.
May is a time of rapid growth and garden clearing. As the Mugwort, Nettle, Garlic Mustard and Sumac begins to take over the field edges, we gather to honor these wildly abundant plants.
Often overlooked as a common weeds, these plants yield a full spectrum of sage greens, soft earth tones & electric yellows that perfectly mirror the surrounding landscape.
We will work together in the open air barn on our farm to process the fresh-harvested plant material, learning how to extract subtle pigments and create botanical prints.
The Ritual: We will begin with a land walk to identify different plants that grow in the Hudson Valley. Learning not only the pigment content, but also medicinal qualities of our harvest.... connecting with the plant before it enters the pot.
Each student will dye a linen table runner to be used on your table, hung as art on the wall or in a window.
You will also leave the class with a swatch ring of sample recipes to repeat at home, bunches of fresh plants & a whole new skill to continue to practice.
What to bring: An open heart, hiking clothing, notebook, water bottle, gloves (if you have them) <3
We will also provide herbal tea & plant based snacks while the fibers simmer.