Indigo is one of the oldest dyes in the world, and for most of denim's history it was the only one used to colour it. It's also slow. To reach a true dark midnight blue, cloth sometimes goes into the vat more than sixty times – dipped, lifted, oxidised, dipped again.
In this introductory session you'll see how indigo gets from plant to pigment, learn simple shibori resist techniques, and dye a handwoven scarf in our resident organic fermentation vat.
You'll also go home with a few indigo seeds, in case you'd like to try growing the plant yourself.
Plant to pigment A walk-through of how indigo is grown, harvested and processed into the pigment sitting in our vat. We don't grow indigo at the studio but all these will allow everything you do afterwards make sense.
Learn shibori resist Folding, clamping and binding with everyday objects to make patterns that are sharp, deliberate and professional. Simple stitched shibori methods will be shared if you'd like to try depending on your energy. Properly taught is always better than overloaded information. You can always come back to the studio for more dyeing sessions.
Practise first You'll dye a small piece of practice cotton before working on the final scarf, so you know how the vat behaves and what your resist is actually doing.
Dye your scarf A 1.8-meter handwoven scarf, dyed in the vat, dipped as many times as it takes to reach the depth you want.
Take home seeds A few indigo seeds to plant, if you're curious about where all this begins.
You'll be dyeing in our resident organic vat.
A fermentation vat is a living thing. It's fed, watched and kept in balance over months, and it dyes differently from the quick chemical vats used for one-off events. Getting to work with a mature vat is genuinely part of what you're booking.
| Duration | One 4-hour session, time to be discussed |
| Price | $600 per session, for up to 2 people |
| Format | Private booking only — maximum 2 participants |
| Location | 111 King George's Ave (L2), Singapore — nearest MRT: Lavender |
| Booking | By arrangement, minimum 2 weeks' notice, email hello@withautumn.com |
| Level | Beginner-friendly, no experience needed |
| You take home | Your dyed scarf, practice cloth, and indigo seeds |
| Taught by | Autumn Brown, natural dyer and textile designer |
Because the vat can only give proper attention to so many hands at once.
Two people means each of you gets real time at the vat rather than a queue, and enough guidance to actually understand what's happening rather than just following instructions. It's a deliberate constraint, not a scheduling one.
Wear clothes you don't mind dyeing. Aprons and gloves are provided, but indigo tends to sneak into places you least expect.
Your scarf will need time to oxidise and cure fully after the session, you'll take it home damp with instructions on the final rinse and care.
This session is private booking only. If you're on your own and would still like to book, you are very welcomed to, just note that the private session fee remains the same.
Do I need any experience? None at all. This is an introductory session and it starts at the beginning.
Is shibori the same as tie-dye? No, though they're related. Shibori is a resist tradition going back to at least 800CE, built on precise folding, clamping and binding to control exactly where dye reaches the cloth. Tie-dye is the freestyle, colourful hippie cousin. You'll learn the actual art of Shibori.
Can I book for just myself? Yes. The $600 covers the session rather than the head, so you're welcome to come alone or bring one other person.
Can we book for more than two people? Not for this session. I have deliberately designed this experience, capping at two. If you have a larger group, get in touch about a private group workshop and we'll find something that suits.
What do I take home? Your indigo shibori scarf, your practice cloth, and a few indigo seeds to plant.
Will the colour fade? Indigo sits on the fibre rather than chemically bonding into it, which is exactly why denim fades the way it does. Handled well it lasts beautifully and ages into something better. You'll leave knowing how to rinse and care for it properly.
How dark can I get my scarf? As dark as you have patience for. Every dip deepens the blue, and a true midnight can take sixty or more. In four hours you'll get lovely shade and you'll understand exactly why the deepest blues are so prized.
What should I wear? Something you don't mind getting dye on. Aprons and gloves are provided.
Sessions are booked with a minimum of two weeks' notice. That lead time lets me prepare your cloth and get the vat into good condition for your date.
Once your booking is confirmed, we're unable to offer refunds. This is a private session (the date, the studio and the vat) are held exclusively for you and I don't take other bookings against it.
You're very welcome to transfer your booking to someone else if your plans change.
Questions before you book? Email hello@withautumn.com or DM @withautumn.sg
