Description: Color can be one of the most challenging and often the most overwhelming parts of working with fiber, especially when dealing with natural fibers, natural dyes, and nature-inspired palettes.
This hands-on workshop teaches fiber artists how to build color palettes that work in real materials, not just on a color wheel. Rather than relying on abstract theory, we take a fiber-first approach: examining how hue, value, saturation, sheen, texture, and material differences affect color choices.
Participants will learn how to build harmonious palettes, work confidently within natural-dye constraints, and create project-ready palettes that match their creative style. Throughout the day, students will create multiple physical color tools—including palette cards, reference boards, and worksheets—and assemble their own reusable color library.
By the end of the day, students will leave with:
- A personal color palette
- Multiple project-ready palettes built from fiber-first exercises
- A clear understanding of how hue, value, and saturation behave in fiber
- Practical tools for avoiding muddy or accidental color combinations
- A nature-inspired palette that isn’t a literal copy, but a translation
- A palette created for a hypothetical gift/commission recipient
- A seasonal or holiday palette that feels uniquely their own
- A repeatable method for building future palettes with confidence
Instructor: Cheri Bywater
Duration: 1 Day
When: June 15
Level: All
Supplies that students will bring: Optional: Examples of color palettes you love – photos, swatches, finished projects.
Fee: $20
Materials Included: All supplies needed for class.