Botanical Silk Scarf Workshop: The Art of Natural Dyes

About

Extract colour naturally from flowers and plants to create your own 100% silk scarf to take home.

Join textile artist Mary Cushing (@textileshed21) for an inspiring, hands-on workshop. Learn how to transform natural materials, including rose petals and blooms from the garden at Borde Hill, botanical extracts, and even kitchen waste, into stunning patterns and vibrant colours on silk.

During the session, Mary will demonstrate how to prepare fabric so that natural dyes remain bright, colourfast, and long-lasting.

Then, using your newfound skills, experiment with a range of natural dyes before designing and crafting your own unique mordanted lightweight silk scarf (35 × 130 cm) – perfect as a personal treasure or a truly special gift.

To inspire your creativity, you’ll have access to an array of colourful blooms selected especially for the workshop, including rose petals from Jay Robin’s Rose Garden and other botanicals foraged beforehand from the Garden, along with a small collection of dye plants grown in pots by Borde Hill’s Garden Team.

Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, Mary will guide you through every step, with all materials provided.

Join us for a morning of creativity and inspiration amidst the summer beauty of Borde Hill.

Your ticket includes:
- Workshop inside the Garden Marquee, including all materials, a worksheet, and a mordanted lightweight long silk scarf (35 × 130 cm) to take home
- Refreshments on arrival
- Garden entry to explore the beauty of summer following your workshop

Date and time:
11th June, 10:00am - 1:00pm.

Cost:
£55.00 to include refreshments on arrival and Garden entry following the session. Advance booking is required.

Important info:
This event will take place inside the Garden Marquee. Please bring along an apron and gloves. Dogs are not permitted at this event.