This year, I had the pleasure of returning my natural dye workshops to the inspiring studio of photographer Kristin Peres. Read on to learn more about the workshops, techniques and the colours we created!

All photos credited to the lovely Martina from The Venetian Pantry

The Perfect Space for Creativity: The Flower Factory Studio

Nestled among the historic charm of Columbia Road, ‘The Flower Factory’ Studio offers a bright, beautifully designed space. The type of space that is perfect for photography & every creative pursuit, especially natural dyeing!

Located above the bustling Columbia Road Flower Market, the studio provides a front-row view of the vibrant street life below. Surrounded by eclectic shops, cafes, and unique finds, it’s an inspiring hub for creativity. After the workshop, it’s the perfect neighbourhood to explore, grab a drink, and uncover a snippet of East London.

Learning the Art of Natural Dyeing

During these natural dye workshops, I focus on exploring seasonal plants, creating a range of beautiful dyes for students to enjoy. Participants learn foundational dyeing techniques, including preparing fabric, applying mordants (to make colour fix), and modifying dyes to achieve different tones. We explore the colour spectrum available from each plant, creating subtle variations and vibrant hues with every dye pot and plant.

Dye Plants We Used: Black Tea, Hawthorn, Mahonia, and Marigold

One of the highlights was the variety of dye plants we used, each offering its own unique colour palette. We experimented with:

• Black Tea: Known for producing rich, earthy tones, black tea gave us soft browns and beiges.
• Hawthorn: This versatile plant yielded beautiful, muted terracotta & clay tones. Which we modified to draw out deeper, more intense hues.
• Mahonia: A favourite of mine for its ability to produce lovely chartreuse on silk.
• Marigold: This vibrant plant provided us with rich and cheerful golden-yellow shades that could be transformed into greens with iron. Read the full tutorial on how to dye with marigold flowers & powders here.

By using different modifiers, participants explored a full range of shades from each plant, discovering how simple ingredients open up new colour possibilities.

Capturing the Workshop: Photography by Martina from The Venetian Pantry

Martina from ‘The Venetian Pantry‘ captured the workshop’s creative process. Martina’s eye for detail, colour & composition brought out the beauty of the process. From the dye pots to the fabric transformations, her photos reflect the workshop’s essence. When teaching, I often miss the opportunity to capture the process; it was wonderful to have the process documented so beautifully by Martina.

I recently sat down with Martina for an interview on her Podcast ‘Spilling Tea’. We discussed the process of natural dyeing, the best dyes to start with & keeping the process simple. Be sure to check out both the podcast and my recent article about lunch with The Venetian Pantry for additional inspiration on the natural dye process.

Why Natural Dyeing?

This workshop offered more than a hands-on introduction to dyeing; it was a chance to reconnect with nature, work sustainably, and learn to create beautiful colours naturally. With plant-based dyeing, each colour tells a story, rooted in the landscape and the season. Through this workshop, we explored the depth of natural dyeing, the magic of natural colour and the beauty of alchemy.

Sign Up For My Next Natural Dye Workshop In London!

This workshop offers a perfect blend of hands-on learning & creativity. If this interests you and you’d like to learn more, sign up for my next natural dye workshop in London or check my workshops page for the latest class announcements.

If you have any questions about this workshop or any of my classes, please be sure to get in touch and let me know.

x Kathryn