Dyeing with Indigo

Class Description

Natural Indigo dye comes from a few different species of indigo plant; one of them being persicaria
tinctoria, also known polygonum tinctorium, or dyer’s knotweed. Fun fact: Indigo is said to have
antibacterial properties and dyed clothing has been used as a remedy for troubled skin. The history
of indigo goes way back; the oldest known indigo-dyed textile dated to 6000 years old. Up until the
1850’s, natural dyes were used globally on textiles over the millennia. Get acquainted with natural
indigo beyond your synthetically indigo-dyed jeans. Dyeing from Nature creates a deep
understanding and connection with life source.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop, you will gain some knowledge and process of textile dyeing with
natural materials. There will be a short introduction to Shibori, the Japanese art of manipulating fabric
to create patterns through the dye process. You will be guided to dye two cotton bandanas using
Shibori technique which you will take home with you. Watch how your dyed piece turns from green
to blue as it is taken out of the vat and introduced to oxygen. Re-dip as necessary and if time allows
to achieve darker shades. This meditative process will provide you an understanding why our
(re)connection with Nature is imperative to our consumer choices, and in particular, clothing. An art
of crafting alongside Nature rather than against it.

*Note: your organic cotton bandanas have already been prepared (scoured) and ready to take on
the indigo dye.

Instructor: Daphne Woo of Amacata

Daphne Woo is the natural dye artist behind AMACATA. Her prior experience includes
garment development for international sportswear brands, after graduating from KPU in
1995 with a Fashion Design & Technology diploma. Amid more than 20 years in the
apparel industry, Daphne steadily grew weary of contributing to mass consumerism. In
2016, she made the leap out of corporate apparel. She craved to contribute towards
solving a problem rather than feeding into a capitalistic mindset. Consequently, while
AMACATA was born in 2010, it was rekindled in 2017 as a social venture, breathing with new
purpose and joining the revolution against fast fashion. Working with natural textiles, and
dyeing them exclusively with natural dyes, Daphne feels best equipped to offer her work as a
medium to spark further awareness and conversation. She was first introduced to natural
dyes and the craft of Shibori in 1991 from then CapU instructor and now dear friend, Yvonne
Wakabayashi. Daphne observes regenerative ways of being & creating through
appreciation for Nature, transience, and the quality of evolving beautiful things. Her
cumulative experience of having lived in The Netherlands for a decade, and then returning to
her homeland of B.C., Canada, continues to shape her identity. As Daphne transitions from
Product to Art, it seems more so that Art encourages her towards her authentic self.

Artist Statement

It seems I am on the continuous transition from: working with product, to working with art.
I am steadily evolving as a professional artist through practice of my craft, working
exclusively with natural dyes on textiles. The past years, my intention has been to spread
awareness towards slow fashion alternatives and reconnection to Nature, as a means to
alter society’s reliance on fast fashion. However, with the onslaught of the pandemic, and
rising consciousness of power inequity, with its’ direct link to climate emergency, I feel even
more compelled to raise awareness of how acknowledging that we ARE Nature can help clue
into more conscious choices. Thus, with Nature as my guide, and continuous
decolonization work, the hope is to tap into a connected life. Advocating a cultural shift
towards learning and unlearning – thus embracing new knowledge with humility, respect,
and grace. I support conscious living, and knowing that we are all connected. The return
to harmoniously being Nature rather than being against it.