Japanese Dye Workshop: Kariyasu
– Available to book on request
Book a hands-on intimate workshop at Modja Modja House, Margate. Explore Kariyasu natural dye, experiment with fabrics, and create your own Furoshiki wrap. Book as a stand-alone experience or with an overnight stay.
About the Workshop
Dive into the world of Japanese natural dyes with a focus on Kariyasu. Drawn from the grass 'Miscanthus tinctoriusone', Kariyasu is one of Japan's oldest dyes, mentioned in ancient texts and used for commoner's clothes during the Nara Period it creates fresh greeny-yellow to mustard hues.
Over the course of the day, you’ll learn traditional techniques for preparing fabrics and mordants with a focus on vegetable fibres (cotton and linen), create multi-step dye gradients and explore modifiers to achieve a variety of hues.
This workshop is designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of natural dye processes and a finished linen Furoshiki wrap to take home as a unique memento of your experience.
Workshop Schedule
10:30 – 12:00: Introduction to Japanese colours, fabrics, and mordants. Preparing materials for dyeing.
12:00 – 13:00: Working with the Alum lactate mordant and “dung” solution; fabrics soak over lunch.
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch (participants are welcome to go out locally).
14:00 – 16:30: Create Kariyasu dye pot, experiment with gradients and modifiers, and begin your Furoshiki wrap.
Note: Exact times and sequence may vary slightly depending on the group and materials.
Bespoke Bookings
If you can’t wait for the scheduled dates, book a bespoke session for you and your friends or family. Bespoke workshops are available on weekdays or weekends, with options for a full-day experience or an overnight retreat at Modja Modja House.
Workshop only: Full-day, hands-on dyeing session, create one finished piece (typical timings: 10:30 – 16:30).
Workshop + Overnight stay: Combine your workshop with an immersive stay in our Japanese-inspired B&B
Location: Modja Modja House, Margate (kitchen and dining areas)
Max participants: 4 (small group ensures individual attention)
Refreshments: Tea and coffee provided. Participants are welcome to go out for lunch.
About the Tutor
The workshop is led by Amy Croft, visual artist, curator, and founder of Modja Modja House in Margate. Trained in Fine Art in Vienna, her practice has gradually moved into textiles, combining hands-on making with design-led research. Her approach is grounded in learning directly from specialist craftspeople working in natural dye, both in the UK and Japan.
Central to her work is a fascination with the subtlety and intelligence of Japanese colour palettes. This began with A Dictionary of Color Combinations by Sanzo Wada and expanded into in-depth research into the historical origins of these colours through plant-based dyeing practices, drawing on sources from The Tale of Genji (11th century) to the colour research of dyer Sachio Yoshioka.
This knowledge underpins the natural dye workshops at Modja Modja House, a small collection of handmade Japanese noren and workwear designed and crafted by Amy, alongside her client-based commissions.
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