A Weekend of Exploration with Samorn Sanixay
Step into the world of natural indigo dyeing — rooted in centuries of history and living cultural practice. Over two immersive days, you will move from plant to pigment to cloth, learning the chemistry, the craft, and the deep heritage behind one of the world's oldest and most beautiful dyes. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced maker, this workshop offers something rare: genuine understanding, not just technique.
See below for registration & payment
Saturday 26th September
We begin with Indigofera australis — native Australian indigo — exploring its botany, its place in this country's ecology, and its relationship to indigo traditions around the world. From there, you will learn to make indigo paste and powder from scratch, following each step of the process by hand.
In the afternoon, we move to vat-making: you will prepare a simple fructose vat using locally sourced materials, learning the living chemistry that activates natural indigo and makes it bond to cloth. Then you dye — experimenting with your own fabric and beginning work on an indigo patchwork kit to take home.
Sunday 27th September
Sunday offers the gift of repetition. We revisit and deepen the techniques from Saturday — building a second vat, exploring indigo gradient dyeing, and producing a set of samples that document your growing range. Repetition is where confidence lives: the goal is that by the end of the weekend, you can go home and do this yourself.
DATE Saturday 26TH, AND SUNDAY 27TH 2026
TIME 9.30 am – 3.30 pm
Cost $330 per day or $600 for 2 days
lunch, morning tea and snacks included. All materials provided
VENUE Maldon Community Hall
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
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History and cultural heritage of indigo dyeing
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Native Australian Indigo and species suited to your climate
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Making indigo pigment from scratch
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Preparing organic fermented vats
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how to make your own calcium hydroxide
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fresh vs fermented leaf dyeing
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Dyeing different fibres
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Caring for your vat
WHAT YOU'LL TAKE HOME
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Extra indigo kit to practise at home
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Handwoven fabric by Samorn
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Patchwork kit
INCLUDED
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materials
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Lunch and refreshments
WHAT TO BRING
Old clothes (blue-friendly!)
Gloves Notebook Old towel Bucket & towels for wet fabric
Your enthusiasm!
Places limited — register early
Make a payment to:
Samorn Sanixay
St George Bank
BSB 112 879
Account 437094581
A receipt will be sent to you.