Join us for this short, informal introduction to natural dyes with designer/artist Laura Spring. Laura will lead this workshop, during which we will create some naturally dyed samples of local colour – using plants and flowers found in and around CAMPLE LINE’s greenspace – for each participant to take home.

The workshop will include an introduction to Laura’s practice and her work with natural dyes. She will also talk about how to prepare fabrics and dye baths, before guiding participants through the process of dyeing of the fabrics and how to modify them to gain a wider variety of colours. Laura will also lead a short foraging walk to gather local plants and flowers to dye with. 

Laura’s long running textile studio is characterised by bold, graphic and colourful print design. Always concerned with sustainability, locality and longevity, her practice is undergoing a transformative period of in-depth research, reflection and development motivated by a curiosity and passion for working with natural dyes and pastes across projects, products and education. 

Over the past 18 months, Laura has been establishing a dye garden at her studio in Sculpture House, Ferguslie Park, Paisley, with the support of designer/anthropologist Dr Charlotte Linton and artist Laura Aldridge. She has been curating a series of events, workshops and outreach projects for the local and wider community which has been generously funded by Creative Scotland and Renfrewshire Council.