Natural Indigo Dyeing

Try natural indigo dyeing with ATW’s botanical dye specialist Heather Thomas and learn simple shibori dyeing techniques to create beautiful, patterned textiles. 

Participants will explore traditional shibori techniques including Arashi, Ne Maki, Itajime and experiment with folding, binding and wrapping common household items to make patterned sample swatches, a hand dyed silk scarf and set of napkins. 

This is a beginner friendly workshop for people wanting to experiment with natural indigo for the first time or interested in learning resist techniques for vat dyeing.  

Materials: All materials and equipment provided, including silk scarf, set of napkins and fabric swatches to take home. 

Skill level: No experience necessary. Ages 15+ 

Heather Thomas has been exploring plant-based colour for over two decades, sharing her expertise through workshops, symposiums, and industry consultations. In 2019, she received a Churchill Fellowship to research commercial plant-dyed fibre production, traveling to Japan and North America to study the natural dye industry. Her recent projects include NEWNEW with Nexus Designs + Cultivated, showcased at the 2025 Melbourne Green Design Show, and the major public art commission ragazzi dei millefiori with artist Sangeeta Sandrasegar at Federation Square’s Atrium in Melbourne.