Indigo? The colour of jeans? That deep, familiar blue?
Yes, and no.
The indigo we see most often is a synthetic shorthand, made with chemicals. But true indigo comes from plants like woad and Japanese indigo — slow-grown, living colour. Even many traditional dyeing methods lean on chemical shortcuts. Fermented indigo is different: a process that’s alive, natural, and deeply rooted in time, care, and ecology.
Over the day, we’ll explore what makes fermented indigo so special, from its rich heritage to its antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities, and its role in a more sustainable future of textile colour.
You’ll also have the chance to experiment with Shibori — the Japanese art of folding, clamping, and binding fabric to create beautiful resist-dyed patterns in the iconic deep blue known as Japan Blue.
What to Bring
Please bring an item of your own natural fibre clothing (cotton, linen, or hemp only, no wool or synthetics) to dye. Think t-shirt, shirt, apron, pillowcase — nothing too large, and pre-washed if new. We’ll send instructions for pre-scouring once you’ve booked.
We’ll also have small pieces of cotton fabric available if you’d like to test techniques before dyeing your garment.
Where You’ll Be
The workshop takes place at Oare House, a working regenerative farm nestled in the heart of Exmoor’s Lorna Doone valley. With views across rolling hills, free-roaming sheep, donkeys, and the occasional visiting deer, it’s a place to slow down, learn, and create.
We’ll welcome you with tea or coffee on arrival, enjoy a seasonal homemade lunch together at the table, and end the day with cake and more tea.Please let us know about any allergies when booking.
This is a hands-on, thoughtful introduction to a dyeing practice that is both art and alchemy. You’ll leave with a unique, indigo-dyed piece of your own, and a deeper connection to a colour and process that has travelled centuries.
Places are limited.
