Sumac Cottage of Greensboro has announced a slate of workshops for the month of March that will be taught by the Cottage’s founder, Aaron Sanders Head. A total of three textile- oriented workshops will start off the 2025 educational season for the cottage that celebrated its opening in August of 2024.
Beginning March 8, “Growing a Dye Garden” will offer participants the chance to learn the essentials to growing natural dyes, as well as the skills to grow other plants. From sourcing seeds to storing harvested plant matter for use in dyeing textiles, everyone who participates will leave with dyed textiles and their own dye plants sowed during the course.
On March 15, the dyeoriented courses continue with a class on the use of clay resist techniques with indigo. Clay resist is a process in which clay is painted on to a textile, dried, then dyed in indigo. Once the textile is rinsed, and the clay is washed away, a pattern or design remains in contrast to the dyed material. Participants are highly encouraged to bring their own stencils, textiles, and brushes for experimentation.
Finally, on March 22, the month of courses concludes with a class on “Pine Burr” quilting. The Pine Burr is Alabama’s official state quilt, and is unique in both texture and execution as opposed to other forms of pieced quilting. Pine Burr quilts consist of folded points of fabric arranged either linearly or in a circle, with the latter resembling the bottom of a pine cone. Participants are requested to bring at least 20 pre-cut, four-inch squares to save time. Head will demonstrate various methods for assembling a pine burr quilt block, in addition to finishing techniques to highlight each block’s unique design.
Spaces are limited and registration is required for each course. All courses listed total $70 per course and covers materials provided. Register online at sumaccottage.com.
