Gathering Color: A Field Trip into Natural Dye Plants

Are you curious about discovering natural dye plants right in your own backyard? Join this field-trip–style class, where we’ll explore the landscape around Marine Mills Folk School with a forager’s eye and a dyer’s curiosity. As we walk the trails, we’ll learn to identify and responsibly collect a variety of local plants that can be used in natural dyeing.

After our time outdoors, we’ll return to work with the plants we’ve gathered, exploring a couple of accessible natural dye techniques. We’ll experiment with hammer dyeing on paper—transforming leaves and petals into whimsical, vividly imprinted card stock—and then create a bundle-dyed silk scarf using the colors and forms found along our walk as well as dye materials provided. 

Participants will leave with their own page of hammer-dyed craft paper, a botanically printed silk scarf, and the knowledge needed to continue exploring natural color in their everyday surroundings.

Note: Participants should be able to walk on a gravel or paved trail for approximately 60 minutes at a leisurely pace. Mobility accommodations can be made with prior notice.

About the Instructor: Britta Harris

Instructor will provide the following:

All materials needed for the dyeing processes, including silk scarves, dye materials, and craft paper for hammer dyeing.

Students are asked to bring: 

• hammer

• appropriate clothing for walking and working outside

Age Requirement
Students ages 18+ are welcome to attend this class.

Skill Level
No experience required

Location Details
Marine Mills Folk School
550 Pine St.
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

Cost Details
Tuition: $55
Material Fee: $20
Total Cost: $75

NOTE:  Be aware we may cancel class if a minimum number of registrations is not reached. We work to balance teachers’ need to plan for a class with students’ busy schedules — not an easy task. Please register as early as possible! If interested, you can find our cancellation policy here.