Before 1856, every colour in the world came from nature. Plants, insects, minerals, mostly ingredients people can find around them. Then the first synthetic dye was invented and most of that knowledge slowly got lost. It survives today in only a handful of places, held by a small number of people still doing the work by hand.
I am lucky to learn from some of the best artisans in Peru, Indonesia and India who have kept these methods alive, and I hope through this course, to pass that knowledge on.
Over three days you'll learn the art and the science of natural dyeing, and spend most of your time with your hands in the dye pots. You'll build your own set of dyed fabric swatches, serving to start a colour reference library you made yourself, and one you'll come back to reference for years.
This course covers mordant dyes only. The plant, root and insect dyes that need a mordant to bond to cloth. Indigo is a vat dye and works differently, so it has a course of its own.
Working with plants Get to know the dye plants used most often, where their colour comes from, and what to expect from each one.
Understanding fibres Wool, silk and cotton all behave differently in a dye bath. You'll learn how to handle each, and why protein and cellulose fibres need such different treatment.
Mordanting The key step that decides whether colour lasts or washes away. You'll mordant both cellulose and protein fibres and understand what's actually happening.
Preparing dye baths How to build a bath properly, control it and get a result you can repeat.
Dyeing with dried plants We will dye with madder root and marigold flowers, two very different reds and yellows, and a few other plant dyes decided together on Day 1.
Dyeing with cochineal The insect dye that gave the world its deepest pinks, crimsons and purple.
Shifting colours with modifiers How to take one dye bath and pull a whole range of colours out of it.
Finishing techniques How to wash, cure and care for naturally dyed cloth so the colour holds.
You'll be dyeing alongside me in my private studio.
This is my daily workspace, not a rented venue set up for the occasion. Opening it up means you see how a working textile studio actually runs.
| Duration | 3 consecutive days, 10am–4pm each day | |
| Price | $900 per person | |
| Group size | Min. 3, max. 4 participants per session | |
| Location |
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| Dates |
Intake 1: 23, 24, 25 Sep 2026 Intake 2: 7, 8, 9 Nov 2026 |
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| Level | Beginner-friendly, no experience needed | |
| You take home | Your own set of dyed fabric swatches |
Not included: lunch. We break for a short lunch each day and there's plenty nearby — you're welcome to bring your own or head out.
You don't need any dyeing experience. You do need three full days.
This course is open to guests from anywhere. Everyone meets at the studio at 10am on day one, wherever you've travelled from.
If you're not based in Singapore, ask and we'll recommend places to stay nearby.
A minimum of 3 participants is needed for the course to run. If we don't reach it, you can move to another date, take a WithAutumn gift voucher, or have a full refund. If you're travelling in, we'll confirm well ahead so you can book flights with confidence.
Maximum 4 participants. Small on purpose as natural dyeing is a hands-on, watch-closely craft and it doesn't teach well in a crowd.
Wear clothes you don't mind dyeing. Aprons and gloves are provided, but dye finds a way.
Do I need any experience? No. This course starts at the beginning. It's called 101 for a reason.
Do I take home what I dye? Yes. You'll build a starter set of dyed fabric swatches across the three days — your own reference library of colours, mordants and fibres, all labelled and yours to keep.
Is lunch included? No. We break each day for a short lunch, which participants cover themselves. There's plenty to eat nearby, or bring your own.
Do you cover indigo? No. This course covers mordant dyes only – madder root, cochineal, marigold and the like.
Indigo is a vat dye. It works by completely different chemistry, needs its own setup, and genuinely deserves its own course rather than a rushed afternoon tacked onto this one. If you'd like to get started with Indigo, check out our Indigo Dyeing At Home Course.
Do I need to attend all three days? Yes. The days build on each other — you can't mordant on day two if you missed the fibre work on day one.
What if the course doesn't reach minimum numbers? We need 3 people to run. If we fall short you can reschedule, take a gift voucher, or get a full refund. Rest assured I'll let you know early enough to change travel plans if you coming to Singapore for this.
Full refund up to 30 days before the start of the course. 50% between 30 and 14 days. No refund within 14 days, but you're welcome to transfer your place to someone else.
A note on transaction fees. Card and payment processing fees (around 3.5%, so roughly $32 on a $900 course) are charged to us when you book and aren't returned to us when a refund is processed. If you choose to cancel, that fee is deducted from whatever refund is due.
This doesn't apply if we're the ones cancelling. If the course doesn't reach minimum numbers, you get the full amount back, fees included.
Questions before you book? Email hello@withautumn.com or DM @withautumn.sg
