Introduction to Natural Dyeing (6-part series) with Kelly Lane

6-Part Series Workshop!

Date: Thursdays, April 30-June 4, 2026

Time: 6pm-9pm

Description:The Fibers Studio at Contemporary Craft is thrilled to introduce you to the Beth Wainwright Dye Lab, an exciting new resource in our suite of studios!

Natural Dyeing is the process of extracting color from plant, mineral, and sometimes other (like lichen, mushroom, and insect!) sources to create a broad and colorful palette. The focus of this class will be dyeing fibers with naturally sourced—and minimally processed—matter.

In this 6-part series, students will get an introductory overview to processes and practices of natural dyeing, and also become acclimated to the Beth Wainwright Dye Lab here at Contemporary Craft, enabling future independent rental of the Dye Lab for continued practice.

Students will learn techniques for working with cellulose fibers (eg: cotton) and protein fibers (eg: wool, silk). Focused attention will be paid to preparing fibers for natural dye, including scouring (fancy word for cleaning) and the use of mordants (additives that assist in the process of dyeing fiber).

A variety of dyes will be introduced so that students gain a solid foundational understanding of ways to create palettes of color, and some of the science behind it. Additionally, processes of using color modifiers, like iron and pH shifts, will also be explored as a way of introducing a broad range of possibilities each plant offers.

Kelly will also guide students through the process of creating lake pigments, which can be used like paint or ink!

Students can expect to complete the series with a book of samples and notes, and a new view of the world around them—the potential of rainbows in so many bits of material, including ordinary kitchen scraps! In addition to gaining an a vocabulary for, understanding of, many natural dye processes, students will also create a unique piece of fiber jewelry using some of the fibers dyed during the series.

Here is an overview of the series:

Week 1: Overview and Fabric Prep

Week 2: Mordants

Week 3: Dyeing with whole dyestuff and extracts

Week 4: Dyeing with foraged plants and kitchen scraps

Week 5: Color shifting and lake pigments

Week 6: Making fiber jewelry with our naturally dyed fabrics

Tuition: $270 + $50 materials fee

Note: We really want you to join us in the studio! Full and partial tuition scholarships are available to offset some of the financial burden of attending a class.

Please fill out the application here! You can expect to hear from someone on the CC staff within 2 weeks.

If you have any questions, email Jamie Boyle, Fibers Program Manager, at jboyle@contemporarycraft.org, or leave a voice message for them at 412-465-1628.

Materials: All materials provided.

Location: Contemporary Craft, Timmons Studios (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201). Note, this workshop will take place in the Beth Wainwright Dye Lab, which is located on the second floor of the Timmons Studio building.

There are 2 entrances to the Timmons Studios.

• One entrance is facing Butler Street. To access the second floor from the Butler Street facing entrance, there are a total of 32 stairs to ascend.

• One entrance is facing 57th Street. This entrance is accessible by ramp, with no stairs to ascend. There is a lift inside the building to access the second floor.

If there are accessibility accommodations we can provide, or if there is anything you would like us to know before you arrive, please feel free to call Jamie Boyle at 412-465-1628 or email jboyle@contemporarycraft.org.

Cancellations and Refunds: Workshop cancellations are decided three business days before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class fee will be refunded through Eventbrite, or you may leave your workshop fee in your Contemporary Craft account for future workshops.

Refund Policy: Student refund requests must be made at least three business days before a class begins. There will be a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given without three-business days notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.

About the Artist Kelly is a natural dye and mixed media artist and educator. Her work is inspired by our innate connection to the natural world and the wellspring of wisdom that surfaces when we slow down and tune in to our surroundings. As an artist, she taps into this connection to create work that is an intermingled reflection of landscapes within and without.

For each project, Kelly thoughtfully forages plants to create botanical palettes that imbue both formal beauty and conceptual depth. In addition to plant-based dyes, she also incorporates sustainable or rescued textiles in her work. With over 15 years of experience as a sustainable clothing designer, Kelly has a deep appreciation for natural fibers and the warmth they radiate.

In addition to her artistic practice, Kelly loves sharing her passion for creating color with plants through teaching natural dye and ink-making workshops.