Date: Saturday 7/18/26
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Pleasant Valley Orchards (3285 Upper Pleasant Valley Rd, Cambridge, VT)
https://www.pleasantvalleyorchards.com
Cost: $85/person
Workshop description:
In this workshop we will gather at the stunning Pleasant Valley Orchards in Cambridge, VT to learn the art of bundle dyeing on silk. I will walk you through various folding and rolling techniques to create one-of-a-kind patterns on silk bandanas, while enjoying breathtaking views of Mount Mansfield as our backdrop. All levels of experience are welcome at all workshops- you do not need to have any previous experience to join!
During this workshop you will:
Learn some reliable dye plants that you can grow yourself (and where you can purchase natural dyes/materials)
Receive a brief introduction to preparing fabric for receiving natural dyes (this will be discussed in depth during the Introduction to Ecoprinting workshop on 8/15/26)
Create your own silk masterpiece - art that can be worn, displayed, or gifted
Learn how to care for your plant dyed textiles
I will also bring some pre-treated silks and dye kits available for purchase if you’d like to continue your natural dye journey at home!
What to bring:
Light snacks will be provided, but feel free to bring a snack for yourself and something (nonalcoholic) to drink!
If you have plants you are curious about and want to try dyeing with, you’re welcome to bring them! I will provide all dye materials, so this is completely optional
A reusable or plastic bag to bring your silk home (it might still be slightly damp when you leave)
Feel free to bring a pen and notebook
What participants leave with:
A 21x21” silk bandana, bundle dyed by you
A print out of the information covered during the workshop
A textile care card
Coupon code for 15% off your next purchase from Colors of Sommer
Please note: If you are registering for multiple people, please make sure the quantity at check out reflects the number of participants!
Date: Thursday, 7/30/26
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Location: The Sanctuary for Healing & Liberation- The Studio, Suite 208 (1 Mill St, Burlington, VT)
https://www.thesanctuaryvermont.com
Cost: donation based (donations can be sent via Venmo @CarolynSommer or cash)
Workshop description:
In this donation based workshop, participants will give new life to old clothing items with natural dyes. Participants will provide one piece of natural fiber clothing that they wish to dye. We will coordinate (via email or text) a clothing drop off for the week of July 13th so I can pre-treat all items, which I will then bring to the workshop on July 30th. I will provide all the necessary materials besides the actual clothing items!
I believe art should be accessible to all and am very excited to offer this workshop as donation based. That being said, there is a lot of labor and materials involved in preparing and dyeing each item. Pre-treatment alone requires at least 4 hours for plant-based fibers and at least 4 different materials - detergents, tannins, mordants - before we can even dye them. If you are in a position to make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated and would be used to cover the cost of labor/materials provided/travel so that I can continue to offer more donation based workshops in the future! Consider taking a look at the attached photo of the Green Bottle sliding scale method. You can also take a look at other workshops I offer to get an idea of what a workshop typically costs at full price.
During this workshop you will:
Learn some reliable dye plants that you can grow yourself (and where you can purchase natural dyes/materials)
Receive a brief introduction to preparing fabric for receiving natural dyes (this will be discussed in depth during the Introduction to Ecoprinting workshop on 8/15/26)
Learn several techniques for how naturally dye your clothing (including rolling, folding, and hammering plants directly onto fabric)
Use your chosen technique to dye the clothing item you provided
When selecting the clothing item that you would like to dye, it must be:
At least 95% natural fiber - cotton, hemp, linen, silk, wool, etc. Rayon is acceptable, but not preferred. Natural dyes require natural fibers.
Light in color - shades of white, light yellow, light grey are all acceptable. Other colors are fine as well, but keep in mind how the existing color may interact with colors used to dye it. For example, a pale blue shirt dyed with a pink dye source might result in purple rather than pink.
If you have any questions or are unsure about whether your clothing item is acceptable, send me a message!
What to bring:
Light snacks will be provided, but feel free to bring a snack for yourself and something (nonalcoholic) to drink!
If you have plants you are curious about and want to try dyeing with, you’re welcome to bring them! I will provide all dye materials, so this is completely optional
A reusable or plastic bag to bring your item home (it might still be slightly damp when you leave)
Feel free to bring a pen and notebook
What participants leave with:
The clothing item you provided, given new life with natural dyes
A print out of the information covered during the workshop
A textile care card
Coupon code for 15% off your next purchase from Colors of Sommer
Please note: There is a maximum of 8 participants. Due to the bulky size of clothing items, I’m unfortunately not able to accommodate more participants in this workshop. If you are interested and the workshop is full, send me a message! We can try to figure out an alternative :) If you are registering for multiple people, please make sure the quantity at check out reflects the number of participants!
Date: Saturday 8/15/26
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Location: Sacred Connections at Back Roads Farm (201 Urban Rd, Cabot, VT)
https://www.sacredconnections.earth
Cost: $195/person
Workshop description:
Discover the art of ecoprinting in this full day immersive, hands-on workshop at the beautiful Sacred Connections at Back Woods Farms in Cabot, Vermont. We will use flowers, foliage, and other botanicals to create stunning, one-of-a-kind mirror image prints directly on silk. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the gardens including the sacred geometry and medicinal plant gardens. All levels of experience are welcome at all workshops- you do not need to have any previous experience to join!
During this full day workshop you will learn:
Learn how to properly prepare your fabric to accept plant pigment and ensure it lasts
Learn how to carefully and intentionally select plant materials for dyeing
Have an opportunity to explore the grounds of Sacred Connections and sustainably harvest plants for dyeing with
Create your own silk masterpiece, ecoprinted with plants of your choosing
Learn how to care for your plant dyed textiles
Build confidence to continue your natural dye and ecoprinting journey on your own
I will also bring some pre-treated silks and dye kits available for purchase if you’d like to continue your natural dye journey at home!
What to bring:
Weather appropriate clothing
Garden shears for trimming plants
Plastic or reusable bag to bring home your project (it might still be slightly damp when you leave)
Any plant material you’re curious about dyeing/printing with (optional)
Water/snacks/lunch
What participants will leave with:
Either a 35”x35” or 14”x72” silk satin scarf that they’ve ecoprinted (participants will choose when they register)
Hard copy packet of the information covered during the workshop
Textile care card
Coupon code for 15% off your next purchase from Colors of Sommer
Please note: This workshop requires a minimum of 4 participants. If we do not have enough people registered, the workshop will be cancelled and a refund will be issued. If you are registering for multiple people, please make sure the quantity at check out reflects the number of participants!
Date: Tuesday 9/8/26
Time: 5:00 to 7:00pm
Location: First House Pottery (4 Harvey Road, Underhill, VT)
https://www.firsthousepottery.com
Cost: $85/person
Workshop description:
Join us at First House Pottery in Underhill, VT to play with indigo! During this workshop, participants will learn how to dye silk with fresh leaf indigo using the salt method. Many people don’t realize just how incredibly rare the color blue is in nature. Indigo is a truly magical plant, providing one of the only sources of natural blue dye in the world and requires different techniques to extract its pigment than most traditional dyes. In this workshop, we will use fresh indigo leaves, salt, and our hands to imbue shades of blue, turquoise, and teal onto silk. You will get to witness the unique oxidization process that indigo goes before settling into its final shade. All levels of experience are welcome at all workshops- you do not need to have any previous experience to join!
During this full day workshop you will learn:
Learn how to properly prepare your fabric to accept plant pigment and ensure it lasts
Learn more about the unique nature of indigo and how to extract its color using the salt method
How to transform a white silk into blue
Learn how to care for your plant dyed textiles
I will also bring some pre-treated silks and dye kits available for purchase if you’d like to continue your natural dye journey at home!
What to bring:
Light snacks will be provided, but feel free to bring a snack for yourself and something (nonalcoholic) to drink!
Plastic or reusable bag to bring home your project (it might still be slightly damp when you leave)
Feel free to bring a pen and notebook
What participants will leave with:
A 21x21” silk scarf dyed with fresh leaf indigo
A print out of the information covered during the workshop
Textile care card
Coupon code for 15% off your next purchase from Colors of Sommer
Participants are also welcome to bring home leftover indigo stems to propagate if they wish, but please know that this is close to the end of the growing season
Please note: If you are registering for multiple people, please make sure the quantity at check out reflects the number of participants!
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Markets & Events
June 27 & 28
10:00am to 6:00pm
Come visit me at the Vermont Renaissance Faire! I will have botanically dyed silks, table linens, clothing, accessories, & more!
