4- Day Botanical Print

Suzanne Connors

In our Eco-Print workshops at Aya Fiber Studio, we focus on learning techniques through hands-on experimentation. The goal is to create sample-sized pieces you can refer back to and recreate at home—not finished products to sell. You’ll likely leave with many useful samples (both successful and not), which are more valuable for learning than one or two polished items.

Workshop Types & Fabric Guidelines

🧪 3 and 4-Day Classes

  • Use both protein and cellulose fibers (cotton, linen, etc.).

  • Mordanting will be done in class.

  • Bring: (6-8) wood dowels, 1” diameter, 16” long

  • Bring Fabrics/ Blanket Materials

Materials to Bring (All Classes)

  • Apron

  • Tight-fitting gloves (surgical-style; several pairs)

  • Scissors

  • Garden snips or cutters for trimming leaves

  • 2–3 hand towels or paper towel rolls (old studio towels are perfect)

  • Large black plastic garbage bag

  • Plastic sheeting (0.7 mil painter’s plastic – available at Home Depot)

  • Notebook and pencil

  • Smartphone or camera to record layout and results

  • Leaves for printing and sharing

    • High tannin content is best (e.g., eucalyptus—available at florists or Trader Joe’s)

Fabric Guidelines for Botanical Print Workshops

Bring your own natural fiber fabrics for dyeing and printing.

Sample Fabrics

  • Bring up to 3 yards total of natural, undyed fabrics

    • Silk, linen, cotton, hemp, rayon, or blends (no synthetics or wool in cellulose projects)

    • Fabrics should be light to medium weight (e.g., PFD cotton, silk noil, lightweight linen)

    • Fabrics must be pre-scoured or washed before class

Suggested Fabric Sizes

  • (3) 1-yard cuts or repurposed fabric torn into 14” x 36” sample strips

  • Optional: (3) silk scarves, 14” x 72”

  • Optional: (1) shirt to print (silk or linen – thrifted is fine)

Blanket Fabric

(For Bundling Prints)

For each piece of fabric you plan to print, bring a corresponding piece of flannel or blanket fabric:

  • Use muslin, cotton flannel, or French terry cloth

  • Must be equal to or heavier than the weight of your printing fabric

  • Each blanket piece should be 1” larger than the fabric you're printing on all sides

Blanket Yardage Guidelines:

  • About 1.25 yards of flannel per yard of fabric you plan to print

  • Expect to print 2–4 samples per day

Recommended Source:

Suggested Fabrics:

  • Silks (all types, including noil and scarves)

  • Linen (prepared for dye – PFD)

  • Lightweight wool (wool gauze, wool twill – available from Dharma)

  • Repurposed clothing (washed and cut into 14” x 36” samples)

Expected Output

In a 3-4 day class, you can expect to print:

  • 6-10 pieces, depending on your pace

  • Bring enough fabric and dowels to support that pace

    Eco Print Workshop Supply Checklist

🔰 All Classes

✅ Apron
✅ Tight-fitting gloves (surgical style – bring several pairs)
✅ Scissors
✅ Garden snips or cutters (for trimming leaves)
✅ 2–3 hand towels or 1 roll of paper towels
✅ Large black plastic garbage bag
✅ Plastic sheeting (0.7 mil painter’s plastic – Home Depot)
✅ Notebook & pencil
✅ Smartphone or camera (to document your process)
✅ Leaves for printing (high in tannin: eucalyptus, etc.)
✅ Old sheeting torn into 2” strips or 4–6 ACE bandages for bundling

For 3 or 4-Day Class

✅ 6-8 wood dowels (1” diameter, 16” long)
✅ Bring both protein & cellulose fabrics
✅ Mordanting will be done in class

Fabric for Samples (All Botanical Print Workshops)

✅ Up to 3 yards total of undyed, light/medium weight natural fabrics:

  • Silk, linen, cotton, hemp, rayon, or blends

  • No synthetics or wool (for cellulose prints)

✅ Suggested sizes:

  • (3) 1-yard pieces

  • OR tear into (3) 14” x 36” sample strips

  • OPTIONAL: (1) 14” x 72” silk scarf

  • OPTIONAL: (1) silk or linen shirt (thrifted is fine)

✅ Pre-wash/scour all fabrics before class Blanket Material (for Bundling Prints)

✅ Flannel, muslin, or French terry (heavier than your fabric)
✅ 1.25 yards of blanket material for each yard of fabric
✅ Each piece must be 1” larger than your fabric on all sides
✅ 2–4 pieces per day = bring enough!

Fabric Sources