My dear friend Ilka White is an extremely talented handloom weaver and dyer of natural fibres.

In the 1990’s I loved visiting her in a studio she shared with Nicola Cerini. I would ride my bike through the bustling city of Melbourne, grab a nori roll from Flinders lane and make my way to Carlow House. The elevator of Carlow House was a clunky heavy old thing. I’d lift my bike on its hind wheel to fit in, then press the number 5.
It felt so extremely special to me to visit these two artists in their studio. I felt so lucky to be able to share the colours, the light and beauty of the work and the makers for a brief moment in time.
Twenty years on my dear friend is bringing her studio to me!

Natural Dyeing Workshop Sunday the 1st of September 9:45am-4pm.
At Orto Straw Eco Farm, Blampied (10 mins from Daylesford).
$145pp.

Ilka’s participatory workshops are wonderfully hands on. You’ll discover what colours can be obtained from a selection of local plants and kitchen waste, and take home a series of dyed samples.
With this knowledge, you can then approach your own dyeing of larger articles.
We invite you to bring lunch to share. We will provide a delicious afternoon tea, with hot drinks and a warm fire.
I’ll also be giving a short tour of our property as part of the workshop: kitchen garden, berry orchard, greenhouse and larder.
To book and for more information please email ilkajanewhite@gmail.com 

 http://ilkawhite.com.au/classes/

Thank you heaps, we look forward to meeting you!

Ilka with recently harvested acacia.

Natural dyes.