Aukje Boonstra: Dyeing to recycle to Create

Expected outcome: To turn an outdated or plain jumper/cardigan into a piece of wearable art which is not too way out, so it can be worn in everyday life. To dye a metre of wool knit - this material is fabulous to dye with. You will be provided with ideas what to do with the dyed material. These will be straight forward simple ideas, which won’t be too hard to do at home. You will also gain basic knowledge about Natural Dyeing.

2011 Booking Code AB04

Workshop Description: For this workshop try to find one or more woollen cardigans and/or jumpers in (off) white pale coloured and yes some coloured ones as well in second hand/ opp shops or in your wardrobe.

On day 1 we will work on a cardigan/ jumper and will transfer it into a trendy wearable outfit. Also we will dye 1 meter of 100 % wool knit.

Samples will be provided plus ideas what to do with your wool knit.

On day 2 we will put our trendy wearable outfit(s), we worked on yesterday into Natural Dye baths, such as Eucalyptus Cordata and Native Cherry and more.

Be surprised how the white and pale coloured garments will dye into earthy colours. With coloured woollen items, it is amazing how often the commercial dyes lifts of parts of it and how the Natural Dyes take over.

The particles of commercial dye float around in the dye pot and settle onto all the other things in there. The results are unpredictable and fascinating. Are you game?

I will bring plenty samples of what I have done, which will give you insight of what to expect. Have a look at the images provided and the garments at Beautiful Silks.

Requirement list: 1) One or more (off)white, pale coloured and coloured woollen jumpers/cardigans.

2) Other silk/wool garments, scarfs etc to cut up.

3) Embroidery threads in any colour, thickness, texture and colour.

4) Sewing kit, incl needles, pins, scissors etc.

5) Embellishments such as beads, buttons, bits of lace, found objects and whatever you can think off.

6) Fabrics you would like to trim your garments with. These could be anything from plain to floral, velvets and allsorts of textures. Natural or synthetic, bring what ever you like.

7) Sewing Machine (optional) plus all the bits what go with it and the yarns you want to use. We can work our projects with the sewing machine or hand or both.

Cost: $240.00 for both days. Bring your own bits to make masterpeice. 1 mtr of wool jersey 220 width will cost you $40, this is the only material fee.

You need your lunch- unless you choose to go to one of the many local cafes - we provide complimentary refreshments including a range of healthy teas. Doors open 9.30 for a 10.00am start. Booking code AB04

Email us to express your interest

PROFILE – Aukje Boonstra

In 1996 I started studying the textile arts. Before that I was a potter, but because of a chronic back problem I had to change my direction. Pottery is very organic, working with clay. But the way I have learned to work with textiles is very organic as well.

Natural dyeing is one of my passions. The whole process of collecting dye sources such as leaves, flowers and barks, then put them in I a dye pot, simmer the cloth slowly, then the moment to unpack the dye pot is very exciting. It is always a surprise what the colours are going to be like. Also it is a bit unpredictable, because so much depends on the way the weather has been and on the water we use for the dyeing.

The making do culture of the late 19th and early 20th century fascinates me as well. The wagga concept, making quilts out of flour and sugar bags, blanket material and old clothing I find very interesting. I work with old blanket material, cut up silk shirts, natural dye appliqué and embroider it and embellish it with found objects. Making something of beauty out of something what other people discard I find very satisfying.

For the last twelve months I have been working with second hand clothing. Going around the opportunity shops and find good quality clothing, turning that into wearable art, which is suitable to wear on any occasion is something I am also passionate about.

I am also a tutor, who conducts workshops in natural dyeing, creative embroidery, working with second hand clothing, making contemporary dolls, naming a few things. In 2008 I had a sole exhibition, called From the Earth, showing natural dyed and embroidered wall pieces and an installation made of 40 metres of dyed silk. The exhibition was held in the Creative Paper Mill in Burnie Tasmania. An article about the exhibition can be found in the Textile Fibre Forum magazine no 92 2008

Aukje is a passionate craft person, dyer, textile artist, natural dyer and stitcher.