Exploring Mushroom Dyes with Alissa Allen

Many wild mushrooms contain permanent, intensely colored dyes. Join us Saturday, February 1 for a hands-on Mushroom Dye Workshop taught by Alissa Allen. If response is good, we will add another class on Sunday, February 2!

In this 4 hour class, you will learn the simple steps for extracting and harnessing the color-rich pigments found in local mushrooms. Possibilities span the entire spectrum of the rainbow. Cost is $60 for FFSC members, $80 for non-members.

In addition to learning the best local dye fungi and how to extract their colors, participants will learn about specific habitats and the features to look at to helpidentify mushrooms. Everyone will take home beautiful samples of the yarns dyed in class.

Most activities will be done indoors, so dress in comfortable layers. All supplies will be provided, but there will be a larger community dye pot of yellow and or green dye for a small personal item. Feel free to bring a light weight (1-2oz) un-dyed wool or silk item for the big pot. Un-dyed silk scarves will be available for $5 in class.

Instructor Bio:

Alissa Allen has been experimenting with mushroom derived pigments for 15 years. Raised by a forager in the Pacific Northwest, she has been a student of the natural world her entire life. For the past two years she has been travelling around the US; studying regional habitats and sharing local mushroom dye palettes with fungophiles and fiber artists alike. Mushroom identification is her primary passion, but Mycopigments are her obsession. In addition using mushrooms to dye wool, she is currently exploring lichen dyes and mushroom pigments for paint. You can read more about mushroom dyes on her website http://mycopigments.com/

Mycopigments.com 
Mycopigments on Facebook 
Mushroom Dyers Trading Post

FFSC Contact - Debbie Johnson (registration questions, etc.)