Workshop Curriculum

  • 1

    Module One: Welcome and Set Up

  • 2

    Module Two: Printing with Onion Skins

    • Lesson Three: Colour from Onion Skins [pdf]

    • Lesson Four: Printing with Onion Skins: Key Factors [pdf]

    • Lesson Four: Printing with Onion Skins: Some Key Factors [Narrated Slide Show]

    • Lesson Five: Design Issues [pdf]

    • Lesson Five: Design Issues [Narrated Slide Show]

    • Lesson Six:Making and Processing Your Bundle [pdf]

    • Lesson Six: Making a Bundle [Narrated Slide Show]

    • Lesson Six: Video One: Laying Out a Scarf and Onion Skins

    • Lesson Six: Video Two: Bundling

    • Lesson Six: Video Three: Laying out a Scarf for a Tin Can

    • Lesson Six: Video Four: Bundling the Scarf on a Tin Can

    • Lesson Six: Video Five: The Effect of Covering the Tin Can
  • 3

    Module Three: Dyeing with Onion Skins

    • Lesson Seven: Making Dye from Onion Skins [pdf]

    • Lesson Seven: Making Dye from Onion Skins [narrated slide show]

    • Lesson Eight: Dyeing a Scarf and Other Fabric [narrated slide show]

    • Lesson Eight: Dyeing a Scarf and Other Fabric [pdf]

    • Lesson Eight: Video One: Shibori Designs

    • Lesson Nine: Dye Modifying the Dye Colour

    • Lesson Nine: Modifying the Dye Colour [narrated slide show]

Workshop Tutor

Textile Artist

Maggie Pearson

Maggie is a botanical printer living and working in Liverpool. With a love of textiles since she was a child, she has been printing with leaves and natural dyes for over three years and has been teaching botanical contact printing for two. Her professional background and career in education means that Maggie understands the need for clarity of purpose in courses, and places the student at the centre of her approach. Understanding that students have different learning styles, she presents her material in a range of forms so that you can learn in the way with which you feel most comfortable.

What You Will Learn

  • understand the principles underlying botanical contact printing

  • print a silk scarf with onion skins

  • create dye from onion skins

  • dye a silk scarf [or another piece of cloth] with onion skin dye

  • understand aftercare of your creations

What My Previous Students Have Said

Gill

“This was a fabulous day with Maggie. All the processes were clearly explained and questions answered. The workshop was delivered in a relaxed and encouraging way and was an ideal introduction to “Eco” printing. The results given by the onion skins on the silk scarves were lovely. Would like to book another to develop my knowledge of the subject. Highly recommended.”

Jill

“I really enjoyed the workshop. I feel more confident and enthusiastic to experiment now, as I understand some of the basic principles.”

Liz

“Thank you for a very enjoyable course. I had a lovely day, learned a lot and was really pleased with what I produced.”

Pat

“The course was very good and well organised. Maggie explained and demonstrated the methods clearly and methodically.”

Melina

“Excellent course with a very friendly instructor with years of experience who is so happy to share her knowledge with each participant. Great fun too!”

Julie

“I loved this course and Maggie is a font of knowledge on botanical contact printing, we arrived with lots of questions and left with a wealth of answers.”

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

  • Do I need any specialist equipment for this workshop

    No. As we are using only onion skins, it will be safe to use pans and utensils from your kitchen. PLEASE NOTE: this is not normally advised for botanical contact printing. Because metal salts and natural dyes may be used in other workshops, use of separate pans and utensils is strongly advised for those.

  • Will I need to purchase materials?

    Most probably. You will need two plain, light coloured silk scarves and [optional] some plain white/natural coloured linen or cotton cloth. Because pre-loved, second hand plain silk scarves can be hard to source, a list of suppliers is given. In the UK, scarves can be purchased from Maggie Pearson, the workshop instructor. You will also need skins from approximately 10 onions [20 onions if you wish to dye more than one scarf, or household textiles such as table napkins, pillow cases]. Iron, in the form of ferrous sulphate, is optional for Module 3.

  • When does the workshop start?

    The workshop will be launched on March 21st 2021. All learning material will be available online from that date.

  • How long will workshop course material be available?

    You will have unlimited access to the workshop course material.

  • Does enrolment on this workshop give me discounts on any others??

    Yes. If you enrol on this workshop, you will be entitled to a 50% discount on the upcoming course 'Botanical Contact Printing: A Firm Grounding'

  • Will I receive feedback on my work?

    Yes I'll be setting up a private Facebook group, which I will aim to check daily, where you can post your creations and any questions, and I will respond there or more privately, as appropriate.