Clara Hayong Boberg

Farm to Fiber 101

Ever wondered what it takes to turn the fiber grown on a farm into the textile on your back?

This workshop will walk you through each step of the way, from meeting the Osamequin sheep to spinning their wool.

We will cover the basics of how to prepare raw wool for spinning, how to use a drop spindle, and how to dye and finish the yarn we spin, and create little woven sample cards. This is a great class for anyone that wants a taste of the whole process of farm to fiber and is ready for a day packed with learning and fruitful discussions. Clara will give a presentation on the importance of farm-to-fiber movements and the can of worms that is the textile industry to help add meaning to the process participants are sampling. This workshop is just as much about the discussions we will have and connections we will build as it is about learning the physical processes. An emphasis on learning, rather than perfecting, is key. 

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Mordant Printing

Explore the world of natural dye printing as Clara leads you through the basics of printing and painting on fabric using mordants and dye baths.

A mordant is a fixative that helps bind a dye to a fabric. A textile is usually submerged in a bath of water and mordant, but in this workshop, we will thicken the mordant and apply it to dry fabric with a stencil, brush or screen so that we can control where the dye sticks to the fabric and create patterns and images when we dip it in the dye bath.

Clara will teach in depth about natural dye printing processes while you create your own stencils, test out prints with different colors, and print your own final pieces. A previous knowledge of natural dyes or fabric printing is not necessary. 

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Paints from Grown and Foraged Plants

In this workshop you will learn about how to capture the plants around you on paper by turning a plant into a watercolor paint through a process called laking.

With a little bit of science and magic, Clara will lead you through how to go from plant to dye to pigment to paint in this beginner paint making class. Participants will try the process themselves, and then have time to make their own paints to take home. This method of paint making can bring you closer to the plants around you and opens up a world of nuanced color to explore.

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Basics of Natural Dyes

Discover the magical relationship between plants and fabrics in this introduction to natural dyeing. Create a vibrant set of sample swatches and a bandana from colors we forage and pick from around the farm alongside some purchased colors, and learn about simple ways to start dyeing at home. 

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