Our Schedule

Sources For Workshop Dyes

NOTE: Multiple workshop projects are provided to accommodate differential learning styles. Individual and small group guided instruction will be shared during the workshop, and online in a supportive community. The times shown on the schedule below are approximate. Learn the concepts during our shared two days. We will work together online to complete all workshop projects. The knowledge in this workshop provides basic techniques that can be applied to dyeing wool yarns and fabrics.

Workshop 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Meet & Greet 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Decide on Lunch Delivery

Ice Breaker Activity

Hands-On Ice Breaker Activity: 

Step #1 >> Using a Tyvek label and rust-proof safety pin, participants will need to label one meter of wool fabric for the Seminole Wool Bandolier bag with their name and place it in the Class A Wet-Out bucket.  In a separate Class B Wet-Out bucket, label each skein of yarn to be dyed in indigo or black walnuts, and place it in the bucket.

Step #2 >> Begin filling buckets participants brought from home with hot water to scour the blanket fabric. Fill the bucket half-full of hot water. Add soda ash and a few drops of Blue Dawn.

Ice Breaker activity will be a continuous workstation until everyone's fabric and yarn are in a Class Wet-Out buckets.

11:00 AM

*First Contact Sharing Circle (marked with water ground corn provided) Introductions | Access to a place on the land for tobacco offerings and a ceremonial smudging ritual, wearing cloth for Algonquin Eastern Woodlands Blanket to be dyed | Share Eastern Woodland Blanket Dance  **After Dance, place blanket fabric in Individual Scour bucket.

*First Contact Circle Protocol >> Share your name, pronouns, community, land-based anchors connecting you to Turtle Island and answer "Who Am I?" without referencing your job, marriage, family status, or income. | Share Eastern Woodlands Blanket Dance >> "Women's Traditional," Big River Cree + Intertribal Women's Fierce + Fearless Blanket Turn-Around Dance "Modern Warriors," Joey Stylez & Joel Wood

11:30 AM to 12:00 Noon

Task #1: Overview of Workshop Processes & Techniques *Tech Gear Required

Get All Fabric and Yarn in the Appropriate Class and Individual Wet-Out Buckets | Show & Tell / View Digital Presentation / Q&A

*Tech Gear >> Need Access to Projector, Wi-Fi & Screen OR Smart Baord w/Wi-Fi

12:10 PM to 1:10 PM

Task #2: Mordant Wool 4 Blanket & Yarn (Madder & Onion Skins)

Empty all fabric from Scour buckets. Boil water for mordant & get all fabric in a bucket. Pair Share Cloth Wringing Using Sticks.

1:15 to 1:45 PM

Unity Luncheon

After Eating Practice Walking the Runway to "Break My Soul" by Beyonce | *Bring My Portable Speaker

11:50 PM to 2:50 PM

Task #3: Dyeing Wool in Indigo OR Black Walnuts

Hands-on experience dyeing wool. Black walnut pot can simmer for up to an hour. Indigo happens in 5 to 15 minutes.  Remove from pots and hang to dry.

3:00 PM to 3:50 PM

Task #4: Complete Mordant Process | Hang Fabric to Dry Overnight & Clean-Up Studio

Remove all fabric from the mordant baths, wring it out, and hang it to dry. Pair Share Cloth Wringing Using Sticks. Complete any indigo or black walnut dyeing. Hand wash any indigo or black walnut dyed Bandolier bag fabric or yarn so that it can be stitched tomorrow.

4:00 PM

Studio Clean-Up

Dance to "Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing" Mix Playlist

Sunday, June 3, 2024

Sunrise Service

Time To Be Announced at Saturday Workshop | Historically, the Toronto Islands were a series of continuously moving sand-bars originating from the Scarborough Bluffs and pushed by Lake Ontario currents. Before European colonization, the group of islands and sandbars was considered an Algonquin place of healing, leisure, and relaxation by indigenous people.  The land was called the "Island of Hiawatha."  At sunrise, I plan to stand on this Sacred Land by the "Water of Life", and call out the place name of Neyuheru:ke seven times in remembrance of the 1713 Massacre, and people of the Skaru:re Confederacy becoming refugees.

Workshop 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Sunday, June 2, 2024

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Meet & Greet Ice Breaker Activity

Make beaded word bracelets to commemorate our workshop experience. One should be IFAF 2024. Other words for bracelets can be chosen by the workshop participants.

11:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Task #1: Binding Up The Blues

Bind wool fabric to be dyed

11:40 AM to 12:15 PM

Task #2: Dyeing Wool Fabric & Yarn in Madder Root & Turmeric

Get dye bundles in buckets with madder dye

1:15 to 1:45 PM

Unity Luncheon

After Eating Practice Walking the Runway to "Break My Soul" by Beyonce

2:00 PM to 3:40 PM

Task #3: Hand Stitching

Detailed guided instruction shared to hand stitch wool blanket. Hands-on practice using the Blanket Stitch and Backstitch on the Seminole Bandolier bag.  Embroidery needle provided.

3:45 PM to 4:00 PM

Task #4: Fellowship

We will share songs, dances, and stories as we conclude our in-person contact. But, it's not goodbye. Our adventure together is just beginning. See you online!