-Yong Mei Liu-
INDIGO DYE
-Yong Mei Liu-
INDIGO DYE
From July 25 to August 4, 2026
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INDIGO DYE
About the teacher
About the teacher
Yong Mei Liu is a textile artist of Chinese nationality who has been living in Le Mans since 2008. Materials and supports used: natural dyes, plant fibers, drawings, linocut, calligraphy, embroidery, recycled waste.
"My Journey in Textile Art"
Colors
"It all started in my garden in Le Mans. When I arrived in France in 2008, I didn't speak the language, I was disoriented. I wondered what I could do with my life here. I've always been drawn to colors, and I had a garden at my disposal. I thought to myself: I'm going to plant colors. In a big city like Beijing, I had never even gotten my hands dirty. And there, I started planting seeds, growing dye plants like indigo, woad, chamomile, logwood, madder… I learned to respect the earth, to listen to the plants.
That's when I remembered my art classes in China, where we did workshops to learn traditional dyeing techniques. And I thought: why not make them myself? I went to Japan, Taiwan, and China to learn indigo dyeing from communities still using ancestral knowledge. It's such a fascinating pursuit that it's endless. I brought back some seeds and planted them in my garden. But the climate in the Pays de la Loire region is different, the water is different, and therefore the fermentation process is different. After hundreds of attempts, I learned to adapt."
The poetry of volumes and fibers
"Then, I became interested in other techniques, other traditional knowledge, other materials. Today, I still work with indigo, creating three-dimensional pieces, but I also do drawing, linocut, calligraphy, and recently, "calligravure," a word that blends calligraphy and engraving. I also love embroidery, especially bobbin lace, as well as calligraphy. I continue my research with plant fibers. I also do natural dyeing, exploring the effects of rust on fabric because, for me, it's as if the fabric tells a story. Then, on this piece of fabric, I embroider, I do calligraphy… I make marks. Our lives are made of stories, of traces we leave behind that can be read. In my work, I speak of myself, I leave my traces. If it resonates with others and a connection is created, that's even better!"
Main objectives of this training
Upon completion of this training, you will have learned and acquired skills in the following areas:
Textured sewing techniques ("Mokume")
Machine and hand-sewn folding techniques ("Kasane-nui Shibori")
Folding techniques using the Itajame Shibori tool
Educational objectives of this training
Knowing how to create pieces for dyeing using the ancestral techniques of "Mokume," "Kasane-nui Shibori," and "Itajame Shibori"
Knowing how to prepare and set up an indigo vat
Selecting and preparing materials suitable for the creative project
Adapting the indigo dyeing process to the chosen material and motifs
Knowing how to proceed with drying and fixing.
Detailed program
Module 1 “Mokume” (21 hours of training) from July 25th to July 27th.
Saturday, July 25:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
- Presentation of the indigo plant, its history, and the techniques used.
- Introduction to the "Mokume" technique using examples prepared by the instructor.
- Learning to use a grid on paper and creating patterns.
- Applying the technique to fabric.
Sunday, July 26:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
-Continue the work from the previous day
-Dye the piece of fabric
Monday, July 27:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
-Complete the projects
-Demonstration of the assembly of an indigo dye vat.
Module 2 “Kasane-nui Shibori” (21 hours of training) from July 29th to July 31st
Wednesday, July 29:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
- Presentation of the indigo plant, its history, and the techniques used.
- Introduction to the "Kasane-nui Shibori" technique using examples prepared by the instructor.
- Learning to use a grid on paper and creating patterns.
- Applying the technique to fabric using a folding sewing machine.
Thursday, July 30:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
-Continue the work from the previous day
-Dye the piece of fabric
Friday, July 31:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
-Complete the projects
-Demonstration of the assembly of an indigo dye vat.
Module 3 “Itajame Shibori” (21 hours of training) from August 2nd to August 4th
Sunday, August 2:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
- Presentation of the indigo plant, its history, and the techniques used.
- Introduction to the "Itajame Shibori" technique using examples prepared by the instructor.
- Learning to use a grid on paper and creating patterns.
- Applying the technique to a 1m x 1m piece of fabric.
Monday, August 3:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
-Continue the work from the previous day
-Dye the piece of fabric
Tuesday, August 4:
Morning 9am-1pm and afternoon 2:30pm-5:30pm :
-Complete the projects
-Demonstration of the assembly of an indigo dye vat.
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 benefit from a suitable individual workstation, with individual felting table adjustable in height, small felting equipment.
Large light and bright workshop, abundant library specializing in textile art and colors.
The studio will provide a dyeing kit with paper, mordants and related products needed for the work. This kit is included in the cost of the training.
Level of prior knowledge and prerequisites
This training is suitable for artisans and dyers who are beginners or already have experience in dyeing with blue (Pastel or Indigo).
Personal Financing Rate
9-day training course (63 hours): €1350. This price covers 9 days of training and includes a basic textile kit for sampling.
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 trainees: 8
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
Material to bring
An apron
Rubber gloves
Large and small sewing needles
A thimble
An eraser
A 0.60 cm ruler, a set square, and a compass
Small sewing scissors
Super strong thread
One water-soluble fabric marker
Two iron-on fabric markers in different colors
Ten 7 cm paper clips
Ten 5 cm paper clips
Ten 3 cm paper clips
You can obtain any further information by writing to atelierdubocage31@gmail.com.
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