Dye Classes
All dye classes will be held at the Fairgrounds.
LET’S DYE WITH LICHEN Beginner and beyond
Join Cody for an immersive and hands-on experience learning about species of lichen that produce beautiful dyes. In this class, you’ll learn about the history of lichen dyeing, techniques on dyeing with lichen, safe lichen handling and harvesting techniques. We will also be dyeing with some great beginner friendly lichens and discovering the colors they have to offer.
Prerequisite skills: None
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring: A notebook & writing utensil
Class duration: 3 hours
Instructor: Cody Hecker
Date and time: Friday, June 5, 2026 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Materials fee: $20.00
Class fee: $50.00
2 to 10 students
DYEING WOOL: Theory and Practice Beginner
Students will learn in-depth information about dyeing wool and other animal fibers and participate in dyeing and microwave processing two skeins of wool. This is a great opportunity for beginners to learn to dye wool and other animal fibers, and it is a chance for more experienced dyers to have some fun and experiment.
Prerequisite skills: None
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring: An apron or old shirt that is okay to absorb dye splashes! Bring a skein or two of your own for dyeing—just in case there is time to do a bit more than the two skeins provided.
Class duration: 3 hours
Instructor: Mary Berry
Date and time: Thursday, June 4, 2026, 9:00am to 12:00pm
or 1:00pm to 4:00pm (2 sessions)
Materials fee: $10.00 for yarn for dyeing, dyes, other tools and consumables
Class fee: $35.00
5 to 12 students
Dyeing with Mushrooms - an introduction
Beginner and beyond
Join Cody for an immersive and hands-on experience learning about fascinating fungi that produce beautiful dyes. In this class, you’ll learn about the history of mushroom dyeing, techniques on dyeing with mushrooms, safe mushroom handling and harvesting techniques. We will also be dyeing with some great beginner friendly mushrooms and discovering the colors they have to offer.
Prerequisite skills: Have a general understanding of what mordanting is and itsimportance in natural dyeing
Pre-class homework: “Try It And See: The story behind the discovery of mushrooms dyes.” This video can be found onYouTube and is free to watch
Students bring: a notebook & writing utensil
Class duration: 3 hours
Instructor: Cody Hecker
Date and time: Saturday June 6, 2026, 9:00am to 12:00pm
Materials fee: $20.00
Class fee: $60.00
2 to 10 students
ECO-PRINT ON SILK AND WOOL Beginner to Advanced
Learn to create beautiful fabric with nature. Gather leaves and plants and learn how to imprint them directly onto silk and wool using a water bath process. Eco-printing (botanical printing) uses the tannins from the leaves to leave realistic images, faux textures and natural coloring on treated fabric. Leave with 2 beautiful scarves, 1 silk and 1 wool and the knowledge to continue creating at home! An all natural, sustainable, and earth friendly process.
Prerequisite skills: None
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring:
Some leaves and plants that you have collected. Plant materials with a high tannin content are recommended. This includes tree leaves (oak, tulip poplar, maple). sumac, and some weeds (chicory, white clover).
Class duration: 5 hours
Class fee: $60.00
Materials fee: $35.00
Instructor: Theresa Brown
Date and time: Friday, June 5, 2026 9:00am to 3:00pm
5 to 12 students
ECO-PRINT ON LEATHER Beginner to Advanced
When Theresa first taught at the Blue Ridge Fiber Fest five years ago, she was still experimenting with eco-printing on leather. Since that time she has perfected the process. Join her in this class for a unique experience in natural printing. Take home a work of art to be fashioned into something special.
Prerequisite skills: None
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring: Leaves from their area such as oak, maples, rose, hickory, sumac and interesting weeds. Fun additional plants (usually store bought) are live eucalyptus and daisy type flowers. No thick or waxy plants, although stems attached to leaves are fine. Fresh, pressed or dry. Dry leaves will be re-hydrated.
Also: Apron, notepad and pen (videos limited)
Class duration: 6 hours
Class fee: $60.00
Materials fee: $35.00
Instructor: Theresa Brown
Date and time: Saturday, June 6, 2026 9:00am to 4:00pm
5 to 12 students