Natural Dyes on Textiles: The Slow Magic of Iron, Bugs & Plants

Saturday and Sunday, October 17 & 18: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Spend two weekend mornings exploring how plants, insects, iron, and traditional dye processes can transform cloth into rich, surprising colorways. In this hands-on textile workshop, students will experiment with natural dyes and post-mordants, learning how different fibers and modifiers can shift color in subtle and dramatic ways.

Together, we’ll dye cloth, compare results, and build a small sample record that can support future dye experiments at home or in the studio. No previous natural dye experience is required. This class is designed for beginners as well as textile artists who want to deepen their understanding of natural color.

Participants will leave with dyed samples, process notes, and a stronger understanding of how natural dyes bind to fiber and create lasting color.

  • Tuition: $168 per participant

  • Apply for a scholarship

  • Materials Fee: $25 (Paid to instructor)

  • Age / Ability Level: 16+, Beginner-Advanced

  • Optional: Bring a stamp, or print that you would like to use to create designs, and or any natural fiber/textiles.

  • Together we will make both cochineal and dandelion dye vats for our projects. These sessions are intended to be slow, welcoming spaces for makers of all levels. I especially encourage queer and BIPOC students to join. This is a safe textile space centered around plants, color, creativity, and learning together.

  • 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

  • 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).