Growing and Using Natural Dyes

A practical, hands-on day of learning about growing and using natural dyes - on the farm where they’re grown!

We’ll begin by exploring the Rosehip Project’s colourful garden - a farm dedicated to growing plants for making natural dyes. Then after a tasty homemade lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon with Dee Sayce, an experienced textile artist, who will take us through the process of dying cloth and yarn. This workshop will encompass all stages of natural dyeing, from sowing, planting, harvesting, then processing plants and setting up dye baths for dyeing fabric, yarn, fleece and fibre. You will leave with dyed yarn, fleece, fabric or a tote bag.

If you’re a hobbyist, grower, artist or craftsperson looking to take your natural dyes knowledge to the next level, this day will be perfect for you!

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This workshop is part of Common Threads - a project focussed on encouraging women to take up space in Sheffield city centre through weaving and arts. Each September, we host a festival where we weave a ‘living room’ in the city centre, which is animated with performances, meals, music and workshops. Throughout the rest of the year we have a series of workshops, co-hosted with women’s groups around the city.

Dee Sayce is an enthusiastic and experienced textile artist and tutor, specialising in spinning, natural dyes, weaving and coiled basketry. She loves to grow and forage for plants to use as dyes for sheep fleece and then use my hand-spun yarn to complete knitted or woven items such as cushions, bags, containers, rugs, clothes, creative textile art and wall-hangings.

The Rosehip Project is one arm of The Rosehip Field - a small market garden based in the Rivelin Valley, growing organic veg for local cafe's and restaurants. We also dedicate a large part of our growing site to plants and flowers that we can use to create natural dyes! By running workshops, selling DIY craft packs and products made by us using natural dyes, we hope to share the tradition and magic of what colours can be achieved through plants that you can grow yourself, and which don't have a negative impact on our environment!