Saturday, August 20, 2016

Workshop with Pia Best-Reininghaus on Indigo Dyeing and Eco Printing

I had been following the extremely talented Pia Best-Reininghaus for awhile and was blown away by her indigo dyed and eco printed garments which are so unique, textured and rich.  So as soon as I saw Tash Wesp's Facebook post last year announcing that she was planning to host Pia for a five day workshop on the Oregon coast, I jumped on it and immediately enrolled.  
For months I looked forward to the workshop which turned out to exceed my expectations. For six nights, I shared a suite at a newly remodeled Inn at Nye Beach with my buddy Helen, a student of mine that became a dear friend.  For five days, I intensely immersed myself in the learning process with a great group of like minded women, several of whom I had met before at previous workshops.







   
Patty, Lisa, Helen and Beth 



This was Pia's first time teaching in the USA and she had the assistance of her talented and darling daughter Marie, who also acted an interpreter for her mom.  Pia and Marie were excellent teachers willingly imparting their extensive knowledge and help each step of the way.  I indigo dyed and eco printed samples from various fabrics including a few white nuno felted pieces that I had previously created at home.  In addition, each student created an indigo dyed/eco printed garment, using one of Pia's patterns, from a beautiful viscose/spandex fabric with gorgeous drape.




Beth and Pia

 My felted garments shrunk further in the dyeing/eco printing process so Pia helped me stretch the garments back to size which turned out to be a real crack up in the class.   Next time I create the white garments, I'll allow plenty for extra shrinkage.





 
 And as much as I love the viscose fabric garment we created in class, it's the indigo dyeing/eco printing on nuno felted yardage and garments where I want to focus my efforts.  The felted wool and silk take the eco prints so beautifully and the indigo is a natural color that so becomes everyone who wears it.  I can't stop looking at the gorgeous colors, the leaf prints, the vibrant reds and oranges of the eucalyptus leaves, the outlines, the beautiful rust and the richness imparted on the felt.

 
 CLICK HERE to see these felted garments before they were dyed and printed.