Past Educational Events ~ with a large helping of Fun! |
 AAWO Dyeing Workshop
at Diane McKinnon's Thistle Patch Fiber Studio
Dyeing Around the Color Wheel (basic dye class)
The dye pots were bubbling as the class learned how to use the immersion or kettle dyeing method with acid dyes to color wool or protein fiber. They dyed 6 sample skeins of wool yarn using the immersion dyeing technique by creating 6 different dye baths according to simple recipes. There was also an in-depth discussion about color theory and terminology, how to use a color wheel, and hands on color mixing.
Students gained basic color wheel savvy by making up 6 sample skeins of dyed wool yarn along with the knowledge to dye animal (protein) fibers with predictable and repeatable color results.
Dyeing To Spin
Diane says: "Even if you are not (yet!) a spinner, knowing how to discuss the spinning possibilities of your dyed roving or fiber with fiber-loving clients is a good thing.
"While dyeing fibers can be fun and exciting — and nail bitingly thrilling when it's done randomly!— sometimes you want to dye the same colors consistently. This class will show you easy techniques that will help you achieve consistent colors over multiple batches of fiber, and then how to use the consistently dyed fiber to achieve multiple results when it's spun.
"We will review the basics of the color wheel, discuss and do color mixing, and then do hands on dyeing of two samples of roving. You will leave the class with two samples of dyed roving, know how to repeat any color and pattern when you dye fibers, and the knowledge to spin your dyed roving at least three ways to achieve unique results from one source."
Diane is an avid weaver and spinner who bought her first loom in high school. She studied color, textiles, and weaving at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She teaches at Black Sheep Gathering, NwRSA's conference, OFFF, and at her own studio.
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