Paint a Warp With Natural Dyes and Weave a Silk Scarf
Workshop Fee: $770.00
Level: Advanced beginner to intermediate
In this class, students will dye and weave a 10” wide X 70” long naturally dyed silk scarf, set at 24 ends per inch. In the first half of this 5 day class students will learn to dye silk yarn 2 ways: 1. paint the wound warp threads with thickened dye pastes, and 2. dye skeins of weft yarn in immersion baths. Then this yarn will be put on floor looms and woven into a silk scarf. It will be possible to mix dye extracts to invent new colors. We can also overdye sections of the warp in indigo to create greens, purples, blues and browns.
This is an Advanced Beginner to Intermediate level workshop. Basic weaving knowledge is a prerequisite: students will be expected to know how to wind a warp and set up a 4 harness loom.
Skills and Techniques:
- Manage yarn for dyeing so it doesn’t tangle
- Scour and mordant silk yarn
- Make thickened dye paints with concentrated natural dye extracts
- Dye skeins in immersion baths
- Design considerations for painting a warp
- Quick review of winding a warp, dressing a loom from front to back
- Good weaving tips: managing edges, tension etc.
- Finishing: fringe, washing
Materials Fee: $80 – $198 paid directly to the instructor. Fee covers Yarn: 20/2 Bombyx spun silk from treenwaysilks. 1000 yds. / 100 gram skein. Student will need 2 skeins at $40/each ($80 total).
If students want to incorporate silk ribbon into their scarf an additional $118 per student will be charged. Participants will need to let the instructor know ahead of time if they want to use ribbon, so that she can obtain it for you. See photos. This makes for a spectacular scarf – but a bit pricey.
Special Tools or Equipment to bring: Students are welcome to bring their own looms after having them approved by the instructor. SMF has 5 looms to loan on a first come first served basis. Students should contact marsha@sanbornmills.org to reserve a loom or to have your own loom approved for the workshop. All dyes and a book of instructions will be provided by Sanborn Mills Farm.
Workshop and Cancellation Policies: Please read our 2026 policies before registering for a workshop. https://www.sanbornmills.org/workshop-policies/
