Guilded, Module 2: Colour 2025 (access to course materials expires Dec 31, 2026)

mastering natural dyes

Module 2: Colour

There is no colour than can not be created from Nature’s gifts. Beautiful, lasting natural dye results require understanding the properties of different dye compounds, and how they behave on different fibres and under different conditions. Any given dye result is always the result of multiple variables within the control of the knowledgeable practitioner. Great results require skill, skill comes from knowledge and practice, and knowledge and practice take effort and time.

If you are looking to engage in more structured, comprehensive learning on natural dye sources and recipes, this Module is for you.

Under expert guidance, you will follow historic and contemporary recipes to create a beautiful range of hues, learn to control the many variables of the natural dye process, and gain confidence to be both a knowledgeable custodian of ancient natural dye wisdom, and an explorer of the beautiful colour potential of your own garden and neighbourhood!

This program of study is for those for whom best practices matter, who want to learn from our collective and ancient human lineage of colour from Nature, and are keen to have a large toolkit of historic and contemporary dye techniques to be called upon to achieve a wide range of beautiful and lasting dye results.

All students will have access to the list of required equipment and supplies upon registration.


Lessons cover the following.

In addition to what is noted below, each relevant lesson will introduce and explain simple science, natural dye terminology and definitions, the different fibre types, and an easy home-based experiment for testing colourants in plant materials.

  1. natural dye sources and dye categories
  2. dye fastness vs. fugitive colourants, and how to test for fastness (durability of dye results)
  3. the role of a range of variables in vastly expanding dye colour results
  4. recreating a number of important historic dyes from around the world
  5. how to make dye baths, dye vats, solar dyes, compost dyes, fermentation dyes, and over-dyeing
  6. safe and responsible wildcrafting of local dyes
  7. how to store, revive, replenish, and safely dispose of dye baths/vats
  8. proper care of naturally dyed fibres, and proper record keeping

For comprehensive course details, which should answer most questions you may have, please check out Mamie's Schoolhouse's web site listing.


Your Instructor


Mel Sweetnam, Mamie's Schoolhouse
Mel Sweetnam, Mamie's Schoolhouse

I am a fibre artist and teacher, focused on ecologically sustainable materials and methods, with several decades of natural dye research and practice, and over a decade of teaching experience. I teach through my own studio on beautiful Cape Breton Island, as a visiting artist elsewhere, as well as online.

My educational background is in science (biology, and public health administration), and I spent over 20 years managing public science policy for governments and non-governmental organizations in Canada and overseas. My natural dye practice is, therefore, grounded in both the art and the science of methods and materials, and I strive to make basic natural dye science accessible and fun for students, in order to boost confidence and the ability to experiment on one's own.

I am committed to methods and materials that are safe and have the lightest ecological footprint, but teach students the global history of a broad range of techniques, out of respect for the ancient lineage and heritage skills of which we become the custodians when we take up this wonderful, colourful craft.

I am a weaver, paper and book maker, but most of all, a natural dye researcher, practitioner, advocate, and educator. I'm a juried member of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, and a member of the Canadian Weavers' Guild. I am the founder of the Cape Breton Fibre Trail, and admin of the Natural Dye Education Facebook Group.


Course Curriculum


  Introduction & Preparation
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  Core Reference Materials
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  Lesson 1 - Primary Red, Colour Theory and Dye Categories
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  Lesson 2 - Primary Blue, Secondary Purple
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  Lesson 3 - Primary Yellow, Secondary Green & Orange, & Historic Recipe #1
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  Lesson 4 - Historic Modifier Reference Samples & Turkey Red Launch
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  Lesson 5 - Local Dyes, Historic Recipe #3
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  Lesson 6 - Madder Deep Dive & Historic Recipes #4
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  Lesson 7 - Water Insoluble Dye, Cutch, Lake Pigment, Ink
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  Lesson 8 - Pantone Recreation, Working with Yardage, Fastness Tests, Fibre Care
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  Turkey Red Dye
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  Thank You!
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts on April 1, 2022 and runs for eight weeks. Students have access to all materials for one year from the course start date.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy, so please contact me at [email protected] if there is anything you wish to discuss.! Given the nature of online courses, and the instant availability of course materials on registration, there are no refunds.
How much should I expect to spend on supplies?
Between $75-$150 US, depending on what you may already have, whether you purchase minimum quantities or choose to stock up when purchasing course supplies, etc.

Get started now!