Textile Adventures with artist John Walker

On Tuesday 22 August 2023, artist John Walker John will deliver a free Colour Prospecting dyeing workshop at the Clermont Historical Centre starting at 9.30am.   

Come and learn how to make yellow coloured dye from natural materials.  Be guided by textile artist John Walker while he introduces you to colour prospecting.   Participants will dye skeins of millspun merino and take home about 20m of yarn dyed from “that tree over there".

The workshop will run from 9.30am to 2.30pm.  The number of participants is capped at 12 people.  Participants must be aged 16 years and over.

There will be a half hour break for lunch.  Participants must bring their own lunch, snacks and water.  Participants should wear old clothes or a covering apron/smock to protect their clothing.  All materials will be supplied including gloves.

This workshop is a strategic initiative of Isaac Regional Council supported by funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Isaac Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland. 

On Monday 21 August, textile artist John Walker will deliver a free Indigo Vat dyeing workshop at the Clermont Historical Centre starting at 9.30am.  

Come and enjoy an Indigo Vat play day.  Be guided by textile artist John Walker and learn how to make indigo dye from natural materials using the vat (a large bucket or container).   John will share with you the history of how, why and when indigo vat was used including its impact on historical events.   Participants will dye a 36 inch long square piece of imported, light weight, handspun Indian cotton with a diagonal cut for a headscarf [neckerchief].

The workshop will run from 9.30am to2.30pm.  The number of participants is capped at 12 people.  Participants must be aged 16 years and over.

There will be a half hour break for lunch.  Participants must bring their own lunch, snacks and water.  Participants should wear old clothes or a covering apron/smock to protect their clothing.  All materials will be supplied including gloves.

This workshop is a strategic initiative of Isaac Regional Council supported by funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Isaac Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland. 

On Sunday 20 August 2023, textile artist John Walker will facilitate a free weaving and dyeing workshop at Dysart Arts, 6 Caswell Street.  

Be guided by textile artist John Walker who will introduce you to rigid heddle weaving and show you how to rainbow dye skeins of millspun merino.

Participants may choose to do one activity or try their hands at both:

1.         Introduction to rigid heddle weaving

Participants will learn how to set up and prepare the rigid heddle loom for weaving, and weave a small sample piece a few centimetres long.  John will bring with him 4 looms and dyed yarn for participants to use.  Participants may bring their own loom if they have one. If there are 4 looms only, participants will need to take turns using them.  

2.         Introduction to random rainbow dyeing  

Using millspun merino, participants will learn how to dye the skeins using commercial dyes (three primaries) including the work required to prepare each dye for use.  Each participant will take home 2 skeins from the completed kitty in a blind draw.

The workshop will run from 10.00am to 3.00pm.  The number of participants is capped at 10 people.  Participants must be aged 16 years and over.

There will be a half hour break for lunch.  Participants must bring their own lunch, snacks and water.  Participants should wear old clothes or a covering apron/smock to protect their clothing.  All materials will be supplied including gloves.

This workshop is a strategic initiative of Isaac Regional Council supported by funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Isaac Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.