Āmişa Store

Āmişa is an ancient Sanskrit word which means “Object of Desire”. Our ambition is to offer you special “objects of desire” to appreciate and cherish, whether material or immaterial. We are starting by proposing some exceptional textile workshops which take place in Luxembourg and we will soon propose other workshops and events both in Luxembourg and in Italy. Furthermore, in the future we will showcase some rare and unusual textile collection pieces.

Our two first textile workshops will take place on 15 and 16 June 2024 in Luxembourg City. The topics of the workshops will be introduction to natural dyeing wool and silk using plants, herbs and food scraps and to resist dyeing white fabric using the ancient Shibori techniques. Both workshops will be taught by Master dyer Caterina Maioli, who has extensive experience in fabric dyeing with natural ingredients. To learn more about Caterina Maioli´s background, check our Collaboration pages on ISAEvents.

For detailed information about these two special workshops and to register for one or both, see below.

1. INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL DYEING WITH MASTER DYER CATERINA MAIOLI

The art of dyeing is as ancient as it is complex and requires time and patience. Although colour chemistry has offered us a wide variety of bright, vivid, stable, and repeatable shades of colour, natural dyes allow you to obtain dainty and exquisite hues rarely achievable with chemicals.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

1. General method to start dyeing.

2. Preparing the fabric for dyeing: washing and biting techniques.

3. Beginner dyeing with different types of plants.

4. Beginner dyeing with madder.

5. Beginner dyeing with cochineal.

6. Beginner dyeing with food waste.

7. You will develop a dyeing logbook with natural pigments, formulas for the different dyeing techniques, samples obtained during the course, and different colour variations. This logbook will be yours to keep for future reference.

WHAT MATERIAL IS SUPPLIED?

1. Selection of wool and silk material swatches to be dyed.

2. A variety of natural dyeing sources such as reseda, madder, cochineal, campechianum, pomegranate and onion skins.

3. All the necessary material (thick white paper, tape, folders, etc.) to create a personal dyeing sample book.

4. Food and beverage during the workshop.

WHAT MATERIAL YOU NEED TO BRING?

1 Pair of scissors.

1 Pair of rubber gloves.

1 Pen to take notes.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

This course is suitable for anyone aged 18 and above who is curious about natural colour and natural dyeing techniques.

2. SHIBORI RESIST-DYEING WITH MASTER DYER CATERINA MAIOLI

The Japanese term Shibori derives from the verb “shiboru”, which literally means to squeeze, press. It consists of knotting, folding, binding or sewing a piece of fabric and then dipping it into a bath of dye to create abstract patterns. This kind of fabric dyeing method is called resist dyeing as the colour does not penetrate into the compressed areas.
Among the various dyes used, indigo dyeing is the most traditional technique.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?

1. Introduction to the Shibori technique.

2. Basic techniques – designing the seams, folds and knots.

3. Basic techniques -preparing the fabric for vat dyeing.

4. Basic techniques: – dyeing fabrics with natural indigo.

5. Preparing a sample book with the colours obtained and transcription of the recipe for Shibori dyeing. This sample book will be yours to keep for future reference.

WHAT MATERIAL IS SUPPLIED?

1. A selection of fabric swatches to be dyed.

2. Natural indigo for dyeing.