A Deep Dive: Dyeing With Madder
With Jacqui Symons From Slow Lane Studio
Two Online Sessions on 4th March and 11th March 2025 4-6pm GMT
Join live or watch the recordings (Recordings of the live sessions will be available for two months).
The madder plant holds many different colourants in its roots with a variety of pinks, reds, purples and oranges available to the natural dyer. Learn how to extract the full range of colours from this amazing natural dye, how to achieve the deepest reds on cellulose fibres and discover practical approaches and methods of using madder on a variety of fibres.
Jacqui will discuss how to manipulate strength, temperature, pH, ingredients and fibre preparation to achieve the colour you want from the queen of natural dyes. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of both sessions and Jacqui will provide you with all the recipes used within the class.
The sessions are structured so that you can watch and learn the different approaches and techniques as Jacqui demonstrates them rather than as a follow-along workshop. This allows you to take notes and ask questions during the sessions and then watch the recorded classes back if required at a later date.
Learning Outcomes
Percentage matters: an understanding of how changing WOF percentages changes colour
Fibre preparation and tannin application for cellulose fibres
From acidic to alkaline: how to alter your dye bath’s pH for different results
A knowledge of different recipes and approaches to use when dyeing with madder
Students will be provided with:
Recipes (including all the ones used during the sessions)
Images of results and samples with details of processes
About Slow Lane Studio
Slow Lane Studio forages, cultivates and uses plants to create colour for textiles, paper, printmaking and pigments.
Created from a desire to be more environmentally-aware, buy and consume fewer products and generate less waste, Jacqui Symons began exploring natural colour and dyes in 2018. She researched and developed the use of plant-based pigments for oil-based printmaking inks and from there expanded into making her own watercolours, pastels, inks, screenprinting pastes and dry powdered pigments from plant sources.
In 2019, Jacqui trained under Jenny Dean to learn about the use of natural dyes with textiles and yarns, drawing on Jenny’s 40 years of experience in this field to develop further knowledge and understanding of this increasingly relevant and respected industry.
Jacqui created Slow Lane Studio to provide resources, information, practical advice and workshops focusing on natural dyeing, plant-based pigments and plant-based artist colours. Alongside working on creative projects and commissions, she is developing a pigment garden and a plant pigment library as a reference and resource for other artists.
