Wednesday 3 September 10-4 p.m.: Workshop: Foraging, Natural Dye and Mordant Printing with Sarah Burns

The Pavilion, Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA

Taking place in the gardens and Pavilion of the Museum of the Home, this workshop begins with a gentle forage for local plant materials, before moving indoors to explore the alchemy of natural dyes and invisible patterns that bloom into colour.

Sarah will guide participants through the history and technique of mordant block printing — the revolutionary method behind Indian chintz that transformed textile design across continents. Using hand-carved wood and lino blocks, you’ll create your own printed textiles with plant-based dyes and minimal mordants, learning how this traditional technique can inspire responsible and ethical creativity today.

Alongside hands-on practice, Sarah will share stories of the radical female printmakers who shaped modern pattern design — including figures inspired by the Russian Revolution and Arts & Crafts movements. She’ll also introduce the cultural significance of William Morris’s natural dye revival, and invite reflection on the global histories behind the prints we make.

All materials provided, and all skill levels are welcome. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible. You will leave with your own naturally dyed and printed textile, and a deeper understanding of how craft can tell stories rooted in sustainability, heritage, and place.

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