Sundays
March 24, May 12, June 23, July 28, August 4, September 8, 2024
six sessions total
noon: 11:00 – 1:00 California time
guiding you through all phases, from planting the seeds to harvest, and lot's of projects in between
includes supply kit to get you started
 
A few years ago,  I tried a new format that worked quite well for people wanting to find out more about working with Japanese indigo but aren’t really sure where to start. The study days are spread out over a longer period allowing you to work on projects at your leisure before jumping back in.  I’ll be including a lot of cultural and historical information, and perhaps one of the best parts, I’m including a kit that will include everything needed for the class except dirt, water, and sunshine! All included in one price. Registration is on a first come basis. 
Includes comprehensive kit. 
Great starting point - all supplies necessary for projects included, even the seeds! 
 
six sessions spread out over the spring and summer months
 
 
At the end of each session you will be given links to that day’s Zoom recording to download along with access to written material prepared specifically for this class. In addition to the Zoom recording, I’ll be uploading higher quality vid-clips to allow you to see what I’ve presented with greater ease. These clips will be available on Vimeo all the way through the last class and one month beyond – allowing you to access them as often as you like to work at your own pace. 
   We’ll begin each day with a review of the previous session and cover all your questions before charging on. 
 
March - Plant seeds.
A generous packet of Persicaria tinctoria seeds will be included in your kit along with biodegradable grow bags. We’ll cover a brief history of indigo dyeing in Japan, the role it has played in society, and how it is cultivated. We’ll go over the many varieties of plants used in Japan to produce indigo blue. I’ll teach you how the seeds grow and what the plant will need as it matures. 
 
April - Transplant Seedlings
   Today we’ll check on the progress of everyone’s seedlings and go over how to transplant them outdoors when conditions are right and what to do to make sure you wind up with healthy, robust specimens. 
   With our eyes on the June and July classes, we’ll go over several projects that need advance preparations. We’ll be covering shibori techniques, block rubbings, and tsujigahana. Each project will be clearly spelled out, illustrated with video steps and printed directions.
 
June (four days) - Projects
   We’ll be harvesting our indigo and immediately starting a sun-fermentation vat to collect pigment for our other projects. 
   While pigment production is underway, we’ll be working with fresh-picked leaves to produce a range of shades of blue and discover what to do with the left-over leaves. Armed with this knowledge, we’ll work on applying the dyes to silk using compound clamp resist techniques, and we’ll be applying the dyes over rice-paste resisted cottons and cannabis I’ve prepared for you ahead of time. 
   Remember the blocks we started in May? Now is the time to put them to work. And don’t forget the pigment we’ve been making - we’ll be using it to create a reduction vat and to add details to our earlier pieces using it as a directly-painted dye. 
 
My goal is to guide you through a fast-paced program, covering all the basics of working with fresh-leaf indigo, while guiding you with patience to ensure that all your questions are answered. 
There will be a bonus follow-up review session lin early September to cover all your questions and share what we have all accomplished. And of course, how to harvest your seeds for next year!