Eco Printing Workshops 2020 in the USA

A listing of various Eco Printing or Eco Dyeing Workshops, Classes and Retreats ready for you to discover in 2020.

I’ve been super busy in my dye shop lately, eco printing all kinds of fabrics from silk scarves and cotton shirts to watercolor papers and greeting cards. My fascination with this slow fashion, sustainable way of natural dyeing and printing seems to be never ending!

Well recently, my hubby and I decided it was time to take an extended roadtrip in 2020, clear across the US to Utah and Colorado. So, I thought, why not see if I can find some eco printing workshops to take along the way?

Watercolor Paper Eco Printed with Eucalyptus Leaves, Onion Skins and Liquid Iron — Watercolor Paper Eco Printed with Eucalyptus Leaves, Onion Skins and an Iron Modifier

Being mostly a self-taught fabric and wool dyer, I’m always interested to see how other dyers work. Plus, I love connecting with like-minded fiber artists and crafters from all different walks of life.

This, of course, gave me the idea that perhaps you guys might be interested in a list of eco classes, as well.

What is Eco Printing?

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Eco Printing goes by many names. I’ve seen it called Eco Dyeing, Eco Leaf Printing, Contact Printing and Bundle Dyeing.

These terms all mean basically the same thing: it is a method of transferring the pigment within leaves and other plant matter to another medium via steaming or boiling.

Another way to say it is a technique for printing on fabric or paper with the natural dye color present in leaves, flowers, etc.

Bundles of Eco Print or Eco Dyed Fabric Steaming

Willow Leaves dipped in Iron Mordant or Modifier and Eco Printed on Cotton Fabric — Leaves dipped in Iron Mordant or Modifier and Eco Printed on Cotton Fabric

The Eco Print method was first discovered by Artist, India Flint of The School Of Nomads. (Ms. Flint calls the process ‘Ecoprint’). India Flint teaches eco workshops worldwide … look for her classes to be included in my International Eco Printing Workshops listing (coming soon!).

Ms. Flint is also the author of several books, covering both Eco Printing and Felt.

If you’re completely new to Eco Printing or Eco Dyeing, my Eco Printing on Fabric and How to Eco Print on Paper step by step tutorials are a good introduction to this fascinating natural fabric dyeing method. I also share an Iron Mordant Recipe which is helpful with natural and eco dyeing.

And, if you know of any workshops, retreats or classes I may have missed, please let me know in the comments below.

Grape Leaves dipped in Iron and eco printed on Cotton Fabric

Eco Print Workshops in the USA

As you will see, this particular list is focused on hands-on classes offered in 2020. At some point in the near future, I will also make a list of online eco printing workshops.

‘Eco & Indigo Fiber Arts Retreat’

In these three eco printing workshops, you will learn how to print on colored silk scarves.

February 29, 2020
May 30, 2020
November 7, 2020

BellaVida Bed & Breakfast
5701 FM2325
Wimberley, TX

‘Eco-Printing On Paper & Fabric, Margaret Hillman’

This is a 5 hour workshop which teaches you the basics of eco printing on paper and wool.

March 4, 2020

Art Center Sarasota
707 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34236

‘Eco Printing Two Day Workshop’

Eco Printing or Contact Printing basics are covered. In addition, this class will also teach you “natural dyes and simple shibori to create even more complex cloth to compliment the eco-prints”

March 27-28, 2020

Mississippi School Of Folk Arts
209 Franklin Street
Natchez, Mississippi

‘Introduction To Eco Printing Workshop’

In this class, you will learn fabric preparation, leaf selection and the use of mordants and modifiers.

March 31, 2020

Tryon Arts & Crafts School
373 Harmon Field Road
Tryon, North Carolina

‘3 Day Botanical Print Workshop‘

In this eco printing workshop you “will explore the alchemy of water, plant materials, heat, and metal and finish the class with beautiful prints on natural fiber fabrics.”

April 14-16, 2020

Aya Fiber Studio
4745 SE Desoto Ave- Studio H
Stuart, Florida 34997

‘Eco Printing on Leather’

This is a 2 day workshop which teaches you how to Eco Print on Leather.

April 18 & 19, 2020

The Silk Thread
PO Box 337
Franklinton, North Carolina 27525

‘Botanical And Contact Printing’

In this class, the instructor “will guide you in creating your own exquisite and very unique impressions on silk, linen and paper.”

April 25, 2020

Twisted Strait Fibers
Franklin #5 Masonic Lodge
5 N Rainier Ave
Port Gamble, Washington 98364

‘Nature Immersion and Ecoprint Retreats’

The focus of this weekend workshop is for you to “Unplug. Slow down. Connect. Ecoprint.”

April 3-5, 2020 and
May 29-31, 2020

The Silk Thread
PO Box 337
Franklinton, North Carolina 27525

‘Eco Printing’

This class covers the process of Eco Printing on a variety of fabrics and papers.

May 16, 2020

River Gallery School Of Art
32 Main Street, Suite 201
Brattleboro, Vermont 05301

‘Introduction to Eco Printing with Bridget Benton’

For beginners, this is an “entry-level course designed for those who want to begin exploring the wonders of eco printing”

June 18, 2020

310 Art
191 Lyman Street #310
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

‘Eco Printing On Cloth And Paper‘

Class topics covered “include the best techniques for printing cloth and paper, as well as the safe and sustainable practices for gathering plant materials.”

July 11-12, 2020

Red Stone Glen
435 Popps Ford Road
York Haven, Pennsylvania 17370

‘Eco-Printing on a Scarf’

In this workshop, you will design and decorate a silk scarf using botanical materials such as leaves.

September 26, 2020

Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road,
Kennett Square, PA 19348

SCHEDULE TO BE DETERMINED:

Also, the following eco printing workshop I found has been offered in the past few years but, as of this date, have not been scheduled for 2020. I will update this listing when I find out exact dates.

‘The Magic Of Eco Printing’
‘Eco Printing 2: Now What?’

Kathy Johnson
Waterford, Connecticut

Please note, as of this writing, it is just before Christmas 2019, and many of the websites offering eco dyeing classes do not have their complete schedule listed yet. I will update this calendar throughout the coming year, so make sure to check back for new class offerings.

Also, if you are an eco printing teacher or if you know of a class that is not on the list, please let me know in the comments below and I will be sure to add it to the schedule.