-Irit Dulman-

The Training

During this 8-day workshop in August 2026, we will work with cellulosic fabrics (cotton, linen, viscose), silk, and wool. You will learn how to mordant these different fibers and discover the potential of plants on fabrics: how plants impregnate the fabric in terms of color and detail, and how this is reflected in the finished pieces. We will take the time to work step by step, from preparing the fabrics to arranging the plants and rolling the bundles.

We will explore different approaches to backgrounds: printing on the natural white of the fabric, creating deep and atmospheric backgrounds with various tannins, and developing colored backgrounds with natural dyes such as logwood, cochineal, weld, and madder. You will see how these different backgrounds lend a distinct mood and style to the artwork, and how they can be combined with the plant prints.

Alongside this work with cellulose and silk, you will also learn to print on wool, using its own preparation and processing methods. We will explore how to adapt the process so that wool, too, can display crisp and expressive botanical patterns, allowing each fiber to reveal its unique character on the fabric.

Objective of the Training 

• Ability to use natural dyes with cellulosic fibers

• Knowledge of mordant-free silk printing techniques

• Knowledge of how to work with silk to create prints and discharge effects

• Knowledge of plants that can be printed on wool without mordants

• Ability to adapt dyeing techniques to achieve desired results

• Knowledge of tannins and the nuances they produce

• Mastery and adaptation of various binding techniques

• Use of metallic supports to achieve special effects

Programme détaillé

In the first part of this class I will teach the fundamental aspects in botanical prints on celulose fibers and silk-Mordant and printing. I will teach you how to mordant your fabrics in an innovative way that will allow you to use the mordant as a creative tool and to obtain different results according to your wish. I will teach how to bundle in different ways to obtain clear and sharp print on the natural background and on dyed backgrounds with different tanins.

After you practice the fundamental you will be ready to add more fun to the work by using different natural dyes. This will expend the results that could be achieved from plants. You will learn how to achieve discharge effect and how to blend the solid color obtained in the dye pot with the colors that you get from the plants while printing them. We will work with natural dyeing such as : weld (Reseda) for yellows, Madder for reds, logwood for purples, cochineal for fuchsia and Indigo for blues.

Then, I will teach the fundamental aspect in botanical print for silk. 

I will teach how to print on silk without any mordant, I will teach you how to mordant silk and how to bundle it for printing.

We will have several natural dyes and you can experiment dyeing the silk and print on top of it. This techniques for silk will achieve very colorful results.

In the second part You will learn what plants can be printed on wool with no mordants. We will explore several techniques to achieve clear and colorful results and other technique that will allow more wild and abstract results. 

Students will learn about different Tanins, how to use them and what shades and colors could be obtain from them

Wool is a very sensitive material and most close to human hair. In botanical printing it is better to keep techniques simple especially regarding mordants.

Students will learn how to bundle in different techniques

Day 1 :

Morning 9am-12:30pm and afternoon 2:30pm-6:00pm: Basic eco-friendly printing for cellulose and silk

You will learn to mordant your fabrics in an innovative way, allowing you to use mordant as a creative tool and achieve different results according to your ideas and creativity.

• Understand the influence of mordant and try different solutions for different results.

• Different combinations – how to create prints on a natural white background and how to create a colored background with tannins and dyes. 

This course will teach you how to combine techniques in different ways to obtain a clear and crisp print on a natural background or on backgrounds dyed with various tannins.

Day 2 :

Morning 9am-12:30pm and afternoon 2:30pm-6:00pm: Basic eco-friendly printing for wool

How to create beautiful prints on wool using very simple methods, including eucalyptus printing. You will learn which plants can be printed on wool without mordants. We will explore several techniques for achieving clear, colorful results, as well as other techniques that will allow for more raw and abstract effects.

Day 3 :

Morning 9am-12:30pm and afternoon 2:30pm-6:00pm:

After practicing and mastering the basic techniques, you'll be ready to enjoy your work using various natural dyes. This will create unique and different results than those obtained from plants alone. You'll learn how to achieve a discharge effect and how to blend the solid color obtained in the dye bath with the colors you get from the plants during printing.

We will work with natural dyes such as: weld (reseda) for yellows, madder for reds, logwood for purples, cochineal for fuchsia, and indigo for blue.

Day 4 :

Morning 9am-12:30pm and afternoon 2:30pm-6:00pm: Understanding the influence of the mordant and trying different solutions for different results

• Different groupings - how to make prints on a natural white background and how to create a colored background with tannins and dyes

Through this course, you will learn how to group techniques in different ways to obtain a clear and crisp print on a natural background or on backgrounds dyed with various tannins.

Day 5 :

Day off with access to the workshop and free work

Day 6 :

Morning 9am-12:30pm and afternoon 2:30pm-6:00pm:

The dye plants used in this section will be the same as those used for cellulosic fibers. Cellulosic fibers include viscose, Lyocell, Tencel, and bamboo. Viscose, Lyocell, and Tencel have very similar physical properties; however, the manufacturing process for viscose is extremely polluting and environmentally damaging, whereas the production of Tencel and Lyocell is much more environmentally friendly.

Day 7 :

Morning 9am-12:30pm and afternoon 2:30pm-6:00pm:

These techniques will produce highly colorful, contrasting, and attractive results. You will learn how to achieve a discharge effect, among other effects, on silk and cellulose, and we will explore the relationship between a solid color obtained in the dye bath and the overprint colors obtained with plants found in the immediate vicinity of the training workshop.

Jour 8 :

Morning 9am-12:30pm and afternoon 2:30pm-6:00pm:

Metal rollers (10cm diameter rusted iron) will be used to create a special effect on the viscose jersey, the most suitable material for this technique (available for purchase on site). The dye plants used in this section will be the same as those used for cellulosic fibers and wool.

Monitoring of execution and evaluation methods

• Attendance sheets.

• Learning is supported by practical demonstrations, one-on-one consultations and illustrated help and explanations.

• Training evaluation forms.

Materials available for students

• Each participant will have their own individual workstation, with a height-adjustable table. Dyeing fabrics can be purchased on-site, subject to availability.

• The workshop is spacious, bright, and airy, and includes an extensive library specializing in textile art and dyeing.

• For this session, dyeing products, mordants, and accessories are included in the registration fee. Each participant will also be provided with a kit of dyeing fabrics, allowing for sample creation. However, you will need to bring your own fabrics. Dyeing fabrics can also be purchased on-site, subject to availability.

Level of prior knowledge and prerequisites

Cette formation convient à des teinturières expérimentées comme à des débutantes.

Tarif financement personnel 

8-day training course. The tuition fee is €170 per day, totaling €1190. The day off is not charged as a tuition fee.

The course will be taught in English with simultaneous translation into French.

If your tax residence is in France:

*Training fees may be covered by training organizations (OPCO, Vivea, Afdas, FAFCEA, France Travail, etc.) depending on your status and eligibility. Contact us for personalized advice and a customized quote at atelierdubocage31@gmail.com

Maximum number of participants: 10

Accommodation 

To get the full benefit of the course you should consider it as residential to allow a full immersion in the technique. Feutre formation will facilitate this. 

Our residence is the ideal place to sleep on site throughout your training. If you would like to know more, write to atelierdubocage31@gmail.com