This two-day workshop introduces participants to the art and science of eco-printing through natural dyes, plant materials, and sustainable textile practices. Drawing from the rich history of natural dyes in India alongside contemporary ecological approaches to making, the workshop invites participants to engage directly with botanical materials to create unique impressions on fabric.

Through hands-on experimentation, participants will explore the complete eco-printing process, from understanding natural fibres and preparing fabric through scouring and mordanting to identifying dye-yielding plants, conducting dye tests, and creating prints using a range of eco-printing techniques. The workshop also introduces colour modification processes that reveal the transformative possibilities of natural dyes.

Combining observation, foraging, craft knowledge, and material exploration, the session encourages participants to develop a deeper relationship with the natural environment while discovering the expressive potential of plant-based textile practices. Participants will leave with a collection of eco-dyed fabric samples created during the workshop.

Participant Takeaways

• A brief history of natural dyes
• How to select appropriate fabrics for dyeing
• How to identify suitable plant materials for printing
• Various eco-printing techniques on fabric
• Methods of colour modification using natural dyes

Workshop Overview

Day 1

• Introduction to the history of natural dyes
• Sourcing materials and plant-based dyes
• Fabric preparation and mordanting
• Foraging and material exploration
• Eco-printing techniques for creating loose botanical impressions

Day 2

• Tea testing and dye experimentation
• Foraging and material collection
• Eco-printing techniques for creating crisp botanical impressions
• Colour modification and finishing processes

About the Artist
Tasneem Lohani is a visual artist and textile practitioner whose work explores natural dyes, sustainable craft practices, and material experimentation. Her practice combines traditional knowledge systems with contemporary approaches to textile making, encouraging environmentally conscious and process-driven creative engagement.

While you’re here, explore KNMA’s ongoing exhibition
TYEB MEHTA Bearing Weight (with the lightness of being).