In the manufacture of Procion MX dyes there are 22 colors that are "pure" hues, dye powders that are unmixed as they come from the manufacturer. These include several primary colors, yellows, reds, and blues, each with its own properties of hue and interaction with the cloth. In this class we will explore these primaries and the colors obtained by mixing them. Teams of students will use a different sets of primaries that when mixed will yield hundreds of colors in a wide range of values. Sharing the results, each student will build a sample book of more than 1000 dye formulas on 100% cotton fabric. This book will become an invaluable reference for future dyeing. This systematic approach will lead to a practical understanding of color theory, including how to mix neutral tans and grays and their relationship to purer more intense hues. Using the sample book as a guide, each student will apply the basic techniques of dyeing, including over-dyeing, dyeing value gradations, gradations between colors, low water immersion, and a variety of resist techniques to do further explorations as time allows.

5 Days
Level: Previous experience with Procion dyes is helpful, but not required.

This class will expand the possibilities of creating color and texture with Procion MX dyes. Building on information from first Color Mixing course, and using the sample books we created to choose color, we will study dye techniques in depth. As time allows, we may sample some new primary combos as well!

Explorations will include
* controlling color and value with thickened dyes using a variety of techniques such as stamping, screening, mono-printing and dye painting
* understanding variables affecting color and patterning in low water immersion techniques: manipulating time, temperature, salt, soda ash, and urea
* layering with color: focusing on choosing color sequences for over-dyeing with mechanical and water soluble resists
* controlling color and value when over-dyeing so that previous design work is not obliterated

Each day will build on the previous days' work, so that by the end of the week, participants will have a series of fabric samples both small and large and an organized notebook illustrating how variables affect dye outcomes.

5 days
Prerequisite: Color Mixing for Dyers I

For the dyer, the many choices of dye colors available can lead to confusion and disappointment in color outcomes. This class will help you choose the pure color that will suit you in developing your own personal palette. Carol has dyed over 80 individual palettes, which she will share with you through slide presentations, discussions, and hands -on dyeing. Brilliant yellows, passionate purples, rich reds, astounding blues and soothing greens as well as necessary neutrals will be yours to mix using Procion MX dyes.

This class will focus on
* developing skill in intuitive color mixing, based on primarily on training the eye
* an understanding of the relationship between colors
* understanding warm and cool contrasts
* choosing your personal palette of pure reds, yellow, and blues, from which all hues can be mixed
* how to dye saturated, brilliant colors, and avoid mud when you choose to
* how to create interesting complex neutrals (Bring on the mud puddles!)
* how to shade from value to value and hue to hue

Students will dye up from 8 to 30 yards of cotton (depending on whether one-yard cuts or fat quarter cuts are chosen) using low water immersion techniques. On the first day, we will develop concepts through lecture and discussion, and do some exercises to get familiar with the pure hues. On the days following, we will dye yardage using low water immersion techniques, resulting in both solid-colored and multi-colored cloth and explore the possibilities of layering color to enrich the palette, both through overdyeing and through numerous printmaking techniques.

3 - 5 days
Level: This class is suitable for all levels of experience, both for those who have had Carol's class Color Mixing for Dyers, and for those who have not.

Discover the possibilities of discharge-- the removal of color from dyed cloth. Using both commercial fabrics and cloth dyed specifically for discharge, the student will selectively remove and replace color, gaining an in-depth understanding of both thiox and bleach discharge processes. Immersion with clamp and pole wrap techniques and as well as stencil, screen printing, and block printing techniques will be used to create striking imagery with complex layering of color. Illumination dyeing--the simultaneous removal and addition of color-- will be explored. Fabric samples showing specific dye colors and how they discharge will be produced for both cotton and silk. Safe studio practices are emphasized.

5 Days
Level: Previous experience with Procion dyes is helpful, but not required.

Explore the world of transfer printing. Apply disperse dyes to paper with a multitude of printmaking processes, including spraying, stamping, screening and monoprinting, and then using an iron or heat press, transfer to a variety of cloth, including synthetic sheers, felt, lutradur, lame, poly satins and velvets, and drapery fabric. With the focus on experimentation and discovery, many small samples and studies will be made. In the two day class, we will begin small works with design exercises and applications in mixed media work will be explored.

1 or 2 days
Level: All welcome

The rainbow in a dyepot! You have to try the process to believe the beautiful multi-colored fabrics that will emerge from each dyepot. If you have shied away from dyeing before because of time or space constraints, this method is for you. In this one-day class you will dye 24 pieces (up to 12 yards) of gorgeous multi-hued fabric. A supply fee ($15) includes Procion MX dyes and auxiliaries, complete written instructions, and many recipes to help you stir up a rainbow. In the two day class, we will explore further the unlimited possibilities of low-water techniques, including folded and clamped resists, double dyeing, and direct application techniques.

1 or 2 Days
Level: Beginner through Advanced

Have fun with stamped effects on fabric! This introduction to fabric stamping will introduce you to a variety of materials for stamping. Using everything from purchased rubber stamps to found objects, from leaves and flowers to hardware cloth and bubble-wrap, you will learn to layer imagery and color. Class members will leave class with numerous samples of painted and stamped cloth, including a t-shirt if desired, and a collection of stamping tools. A supply fee includes fabric paints and a kit of stamping materials.

1 day
Level: All welcome

Learn to translate that "doodle" into a beautiful continuous quilting design! Using quilting motifs such as 'meander,' 'zig-zag,' and 'loop de loop,' we will advance through practice exercises into freely drawing with the needle. Fantasy flowers, spirals, feathers, leaves and vines and more will emerge at your fingertips! Suitable for the beginner in free-motion techniques, as well as those who wish to develop their skill in more complex designs.

1 Day
Level: Beginner through Advanced

Take your free-motion skills a step further! In this class we will explore a variety of threads both fine and heavy, using them through the needle and in the bobbin. Optical mixing of color and layering effects will be explored as well as two threads through the needle, single needle and twin needle effects. Working with and without hoops and the use of a variety of stabilizers as well as water-soluble products will be covered. Experience with free-motion quilting a plus, but not required. Be ready to have some FUN with your machine!

1 or 2 Days
Level: Beginner through Advanced

Learn to create beautiful, graceful feathers without pre-marking to enhance your traditional or contemporary quilts. Beautiful flowing feathers complement many traditional and contemporary quilts. In this 6 hour class you will learn the free-motion techniques to "feather freehand, " without marking. Many feather designs will be presented, and you will learn to nest designs to fill the space. As a two day class, we will learn to create complementary background fills.

1 or 2 days
Level: All welcome

Work on a piece of your own design as we explore together the development of a piece from inception of the idea, through development of the theme, to construction techniques. In the design and inspiration phase, we will have a look at various source materials for design, and discuss the basic elements of good design. In the interpretation phase, we will have a play day to create fabric unique to our designs through painting, printing and stamping. Then, using our specially created materials and our design inspirations, we will combine them in an exploratory piece using appropriate techniques such as freeform piecing, fusing, raw-edge applique, and free-motion embroidery.

3 days
Level: For those with some quiltmaking experience who would like to stretch

From the traditional compass to a contemporary off-center freeform style, you will learn to draft and construct a compass that will amaze your friends and impress your boss! No math or protractor needed, just a pencil and a ruler! A freezer paper foundation keeps everything under control. With these techniques, even a near- beginner can stitch a masterpiece! (Previous rotary cutting experience helpful.) In the two day class, we will design individual compass variations.

1 or 2 Days
Level: Advanced beginner and up

You will learn the techniques of using a paper foundation while piecing my original light-hearted star design, presented in two sizes and variations, including a Star-Within-A- Star! These tipsy stars sparkle in the center of a crazy log cabin block. The strip-pieced border completes the cheerful look.

1 Day
Level: Advanced beginner and up

Keeping in touch with the creative muse.

My personal journey in quiltmaking.

What are the properties that underlie beauty in art, nature, and quilts? This talk looks at architect Christopher Alexander's Nature of Order, and how his ground-breaking ideas on what defines and creates life-force in everything from micro-organisms to mountain ranges, persian carpets to office buildings, have a lot to say about design in quilts.

This talk focuses on intuitive use of color inspired by the natural world, illustrated by slides from my travels and quilts.

I will discuss a color theory based on a three dimensional 'color cube' rather than a 'color wheel.' This theory has led to my development of a "recipe" book of more than 1000 colors for Procion MX dyes. This way of thinking about color has many applications for the dyer, including how to understand neutral colors, the browns, tans, and grays, and their relationship to other colors. It will also give a visual reference for the results of over-dyeing one color with another in resist processes such as batik or shibori. This is a color theory that is deliciously visual, and not so theoretical!