Natural Dyeing with Marigold
A Beginner Introduction to the Capacity of a Flower
Sunday, 3/29: 12 - 4 PM
Using plants and natural materials to create color on fabric is a craft and art form that has been practiced by people around the world for thousands of years. Natural dyes have been used across cultures for clothing, ritual textiles, and everyday household items long before synthetic dyes existed. We will focus on the marigold flower, a common plant found in homes and gardens throughout the Midwest and many other regions, addressing plant identification and fabric preparation–and then learn how to create a marigold dye vat, including how to properly weigh, heat, and maintain a natural dye bath.
Tuition: $85 per participant
Materials Fee: $10to be paid to instructor.
Tools to Bring:Please bring a pen and something to write with for notes. Students may also bring their own cotton, wool, linen, silk, or any natural fabric or yarn within 5x5 inches if they would like to dye it with marigold!
Age / Ability Level:This class is open to all levels of experience. Minimum age 18; 16 with an adult.
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We will cover a variety of dye plants that are local to Minnesota and discuss how natural dyes have traditionally been sourced from regional plants. Students will learn how to identify natural fabrics such as wool, silk, and cotton, and how to prepare them through scouring, mordanting, and tannin processes. Together we will create a marigold dye vat using plants provided in class, and dye! We will also experiment with post mordants, allowing students to paint on fabric to create a range of warm yellow and gold colors and patterns. This class is paced slowly and designed for beginners with no prior experience.
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This class offers slow, beginner level dye practices and is open to all levels of learning and capability. We will be working with hot water and dried plants so please be mindful of your own needs. The class is intended to create a welcoming space for people interested in fibers and plants to be in community and conversation with one another.
CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is committed to building a diverse, inclusive learning community where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and able to participate. As we launch our first workshop series, we are dedicating space in each class for reduced-tuition scholarships to support anyone facing financial barriers. As we build a more robust scholarship program, we hope this initial launch will remove barriers and expand access to hands-on learning for all.
Anyone with financial need is encouraged to apply for a half-tuition scholarship. To be considered, please submit a brief online application. Please note that CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is operating with limited financial resources and an entirely volunteer staff. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a spot for every applicant. Each class has one scholarship slot available. Applicants who are not selected in this current round are welcome to reapply. Apply here
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CPC is able to provide refunds up to two weeks before the start date of the class for which the registration was submitted, though we do retain a $20 fee for return payment processing. If you need to cancel your class within the two week window, a refund is not guaranteed, but will be considered based on several factors.
If CPC needs to cancel a class due to low enrollment, teacher illness, or other factors, you will receive a full refund. Read our full set of policies.
meet your instructor
Isabella Sanchez is a visual artist who creates textile objects exploring place, family, multicultural identity, and how material evokes cultural memory and loss. Current Master of Fine Arts (MFA) candidate at the University of Minnesota. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of Kansas, where she also minored in Art History. Her work has been exhibited at venues such as the St. Louis Art Museum (2017–2019), University of Kansas Memorial Union Gallery, Kansas City Artist Coalition (2023), the Art Grind (2024), and The New World Gallery (2025).