Fox Friday: Natural Dye Making

This workshop will provide an introductory framework to the traditional craft of natural dyeing. The history of natural dyes will be covered, including a discussion of plants and other natural materials suitable for dyeing available in our region, as well as non-local important historical dye sources. Students will learn about pre-treatment processes, how shifting pH can alter color, and how to achieve different shades from one dye source.

Instructor: Erin Luna (she/her) is a farmer, craftsperson, and educator working in the medium of natural dyes and other traditional land-based crafts. She received her BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas in Austin and now lives and works between St. Louis City and Hillsboro, Missouri, where she grows materials for her craft, including various dye crops, like indigo and madder root, and fiber plants, including cotton and flax. Erin teaches at a variety of craft and cultural institutions across the St. Louis area.