TOAST | Natural Dye Printing with Ceres

Join Lara Mantell and Florence Hawkins from Ceres Studio as they guide you through printing with natural dyes. In this workshop, you will learn how to extract dye from plants and produce paste for printing on paper. They will demonstrate how to create beautiful prints, experimenting with mark making using natural dyes and bio-waste materials.

Ceres Studio was co-funded by Lara and Flo in 2020. They are both textile designers; modern alchemists creating pigments from local and sustainable plant sources for screen printing. They have established a natural dye print studio in Brixton where they teach bespoke courses, and design textile patterns.

Together, they work with clients to design ecologically printed fabrics. They recently crafted over 200 printed panels for TOAST’s Spring Summer 2025 windows inspired by our seasonal concept, A Lightness of Being.

50% of all ticket and on-demand sales will be donated by TOAST to Crafts Council UK to support their Young Citizens Programme - offering workshops, paid opportunities and creative and professional advice for young people from all backgrounds interested in shaping the future of craft, design and making in the UK.

To view on-demand:

• This event first aired on 26 June 2025.
• Once you have purchased your ticket you will receive an email with a link to access the video recording.

Materials required:

• At least a small amount of one source of bio-waste/plant materials such as: onion skins (red or white); fresh beetroot, red cabbage,pPomegranate skins, hibiscus flower tea, buddleia flower.
• Cornflour.
• 1 sauce pan + whisk or wooden spoon.
• Paintbrushes (small or medium sizes).
• Measuring jug or scales.
• Bicarbonate of soda or baking powder.
• Lemon or lime.
• Weighty natural cotton paper (300g if possible)
• Sieve.

If possible, please allow time before the workshop to start on one natural dye. Please see details below:

Eg: Onion Skin Natural Dye:

Place one handful of dry onion skins (the papery skin, not the flesh) into a saucepan and add just enough water to just cover it (ensure it is not swimming in water).

Simmer for 20 minutes.

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TOAST is a unique lifestyle brand renowned for its thoughtful, contemporary design and commitment to traditional textiles and craftsmanship. Seasonal workshops and gatherings aim to bring together a like minded community and foster creativity.

As part of our commitment to creative communities, we are currently supporting Crafts Council UK, the national charity for craft. Funds raised through our seasonal events programme and activities will support the work they do to inspire making, empower learning and nurture craft businesses. We jointly believe craft skills and knowledge enrich and uplift us as individuals, and, in doing so, will change our world for the better. We are proud to be an advocate for their projects, which are focused on social justice, environmental responsibility and talent development in the craft sector.