Connect with the seasonal plants around you through exploration of the art of bundle dyeing - natural colour printing - with guided foraging walk.
This three-hour guided workshop will take you on an introductory foraging walk of seasonal plants in a permaculture garden setting, and instruct you in the practice of making prints onto textiles using plants, flowers, food waste and metal.
To get a feel for the workshop, see this reel from a workshop at The Conduit in central London or an outdoor version here.
Images: examples of the art of composition involved with bundle dyeing.
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Time: 3 hour session
Cost: £30 / £55 bring-a-friend
Date: Sunday 20th September 2026. 10am-1pm.
Location: The Castle Climbing Centre (garden), Green Lanes N4 2HA
Group Size: maximum 8. -
⇾ What bundle dyeing is and how surprising it is!
⇾ Appropriate materials and equipment for this practice, including a basic overview of natural pigments
⇾ How to mordant and prepare a fabric for bundle dyeing, and fabric recommendations
⇾ Composing plant material and fabric wrapping for various dyeing patterns⇾ Seasonal plant signs and introduction to plants found in the session area
⇾ Foraging best practice and safety considerations -
⇾ Guidance on the art of bundle dyeing for fabric
⇾ All materials, including pre-mordanted organic textiles (cotton, linen, bamboo and/or silk), with finished works yours to keep
⇾ All required loaned tools (snips, secateurs, gloves) and equipment all provided
⇾ Additional materials, such as dried petals and food waste
⇾ An insight and built connection with the local environment and seasonal planting
⇾ Herbal teas as refreshment
⇾ A follow-up PDF guide with all covered information and additional resources -
Make your way to the reception of The Castle Climbing Centre and sign in, then through to the garden where you’ll be awarded with the 1.4 acre permaculture space. Here you’ll receive an introduction to the session.
We’ll start with a playful activity using food waste, and while that steams you’ll be introduced to bundle dyeing including appropriate materials, safety considerations and preparing your fabrics for printing.
You’ll then be introduced to foraging guidelines and best practice, including safety considerations for tools, before being guided through the garden and its available plants suitable for bundle dyeing. You’ll be given some time to forage for your chosen materials for the main activity, keeping in mind what your desired colour palette and patterning effect will be. You’ll also have access to various dried petals and certain food waste.
More time will be given for you to compose, wrap and steam your larger fabric piece before the exciting big reveal. There is a set amount of time dedicated to steaming, so dependent on how quick you are, you may be able to steam an additional small piece - or bring along a washed cotton tote bag, cotton t-shirt, tablecloth or pair of socks to experiment with.
All works are yours to keep. Materials will be provided, and inspiration will be given to help you in presenting/using and storing your work. -
Book here.
You will receive a confirmation email with location details and suggestions on clothing to wear/bring.*I operate a Pay-It-Forward model. This means that you can purchase an additional ticket to support someone on low income or referred through an art therapy route. You can make a donation - £5, £10, £15, £20, £30 or £40 - that will be used towards a full ticket cost for future use by someone.
If you are low income and would like to attend the event, but the price point isn't accessible to you, please reach out via hello@stephaniesteele.co.uk for options.
Images: a workshop in July 2024, experimenting with food “waste” on organic cotton calico.
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1. This session is situated in a garden with uneven ground but is overall accessible by wheelchair.
2. We’ll have access to a table and other seats, or you can sit on the ground.
3. The bundle dyeing itself i.e. the steaming, will be monitored by myself. Some dexterity is useful for wrapping your bundle, though support can be given here.
4. Foraging does require dexterity and some bending or reaching. I will be available to guide and support with this, along with providing tools i.e. snips. If you have specific hand tools you like to use for gardening, please bring them along. I will endeavour to find suitable spots that will support in your enjoyment of the practice of foraging.
5. Gardening gloves will be provided to allow you to forage safely. They are cotton and rubber. There’ll also be nitrile (latex-free) gloves for use handling plant materials during the dyeing part. If you have your own, or have specific textile allergies, please do bring them to aid in your comfort.
6. The session will be completed in English. If you are hearing impaired, you are welcome to attend; I will be able to practically and closely show you the art and can give you a handout on the instructions.
7. This session is aimed at adults. If you would like to bring your child along, please email first to check capacity.
8. We will be operating in the outdoors. Some shelter in the garden’s roundhouse could be found, but please be aware that it is your responsibility to dress appropriately for the weather - whether rainy or sunny. See below section on ‘cancellations’.
9. Toilets and drinking water are available in the Centre.
10. Parking really is for the climbing centre customers, and it can be busy, but if you drive and happen to find a space, you MUST give reception your registration otherwise you're likely to get a fine. There are bike frames available out the front.
If you have any concerns or requirements upfront, please email hello@stephaniesteele.co.uk -
⇾ I am DBS registered.
⇾ I am emergency outdoor first aid trained, carry a first aid kit and there’s a defibrillator on site.
⇾ For more images and information on who I am, head to my website. -
Weather: If the weather is due to be stormy, then I will email to give updates on required clothing or cancellation. Unfortunately this is a case-by-case basis, but I will aim to give you two days notice. You can then choose to book onto a new date, I’ll create a session especially for the group, or you can receive a full refund.
Personal: If you are unable to attend for personal reasons, please respect that I am a sole business owner and give at least two days notice. If you do not cancel with good reason in time, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Covid: If you contract Covid-19 and have a positive lateral flow or PCR, I can provide a full refund. Please still give notice as this helps me book up the slot.
My cancellations: If a week prior to the event I have had cancellations or less bookings, so will be operating with less than 2 participants, I will cancel. Better that you have more folk to experience this with. I'll offer you a refund or a new date, and many apologies. -
It’s tricky to provide a ticket cost that appears valuable but also covers realistic costs. Your payment covers materials (around £8 per person), payment processing fees, and my labour both in facilitating the session and all time beforehand prepping materials, which in this case is around £7.50 per hour per person.
If the cost is inaccessible to you (honestly, I get it) please do reach out on hello@stephaniesteele.co.uk as I operate a pay-it-forward model and can discretionarily provide a free or discounted spot.
Images: composing and steaming a larger piece of organic bamboo silk material using fresh and dried plants — sometimes requiring a friend’s help to tightly wrap the bundle — to ecoprint it using the bundle dye method.
Find more images over on Instagram.