Dyeing with indigo is hard. The fabric prepping and vat-making that precede the deep shades of blue are so complex and time-consuming that dyeing could aptly be revered as a fine art – a heavily guarded secret that not everyone is ready to divulge to a rookie.
It took us years, travels to Thailand and Rajasthan, and hundreds of trials and errors to get to the deep blues we proudly share with you today. And now, we want to spearhead a communal sharing of our ancient yet new techniques of creating indigo. Through this experience built around hands-on activities, guided field walks and unstructured conversations – we are sharing the lessons we have learnt along the way with new indigo enthusiasts.
You will be working alongside our Founder, Kiran Sandhu, Shankar Mandal and Rajendra Bisht, as well as the other members behind Tarai Blue. We will take you through the vat-making and dyeing techniques.
What we'll be covering?
Through this 4 day residency – we will be exploring the tumultuous history of indigo, the techniques we pioneered to sustainably grow indigo, different types of vats and multiple dyeing techniques.
A guided walk through the fields of Tarai Blue with our founder Mrs Kiran Sandhu. Conversations will be focused on the history of Indigo dyeing and the different cultures that practise it.
Our founder will also share her captivating story of a hundred tries at getting the deep blues, which are now proudly shared with the world through Tarai Blue.
An insight into understanding the process of extracting Indigo from nature & learning the language of those expert Indigo dyers.
Practising the making of different vats using the ingredients available to you. Pick up techniques of preparing the fabric before and after dyeing.
Now that you've fallen in love with your Indigo vat, you will be trained to keep it as healthy and happy as possible. An Indigo vat can have a very long life if used and tended to regularly.
Various dyeing techniques will be explored through bundle, clamp and stitch resist. An astonishing array of patterning is possible through these techniques. You will learn how to adjust vats for different fibre types and conditions
Introduction about the basics of shibori folding – a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique that produces beautiful patterns.
Students will also dye and overdye with Eupatorium dye and indigo. You can get a palette of earthy colours from bright yellows and greens to duller browns.
Who can join?
This workshop is suitable for any level of experience with Indigo. From a beginner to a dyer, anyone can join this workshop.
To retain the intimacy of indigo bonds and to avoid disrupting our harvesting processes, we will be capping the workshop at 8 individuals.
Book your slots now!
When?
2nd – 5th March 2023
Where?
The residency will be happening at the Tarai Blue Farms and Studio in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. We will be arranging pick-ups from Rudrapur Railway Station and Pantnagar Airport at 10 am on 2nd March and drop-offs to the same points on the 5th March evening.
What does the workshop price include?
This cost includes:
Pickup and drop off from and to Rudrapur Station or Pantnagar airport (at the time specified in the itinerary above)
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