Date: June 13, 2026, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Instructor: Allie Olson

Location: Boulder, CO (Community Building at Mountain Shadows Complex – See Map)

Level: Beginner (No experience needed)

Explore the world of botanical color in this natural dye class! In this three-hour session, we will cover the basics of dyeing with plant materials. See how nature provides a rainbow of colors for us to use in our textiles. In this class, we’ll work with avocado pits, which impart shades ranging from dusty rose-pink to salmon-orange.

We’ll cover how different fibers react to natural dyes, how to mordant fabric, how to prepare a dye bath and different methods for achieving varying shades and designs. You’ll learn how the avocado pits dye yarn, fabric, and paper. Students will experiment by dyeing their own handkerchiefs to take home. Feel free to bring one small cloth item from home (a napkin, small shirt, etc) to throw into the dye pot! This item must consist of 100% natural fibers and be well-cleaned prior to class. This class is well suited for total beginners with no experience in natural dyes.