PENDER ISLAND WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
Flower-Powered Prints: A Hands‑On Botanical Dye Workshop on Pender Island
Create vibrant flower prints on 29" x 29" organic silk scarves with natural-dye expert Darcy Smith — this guide explains what to expect, what to bring, and how the day unfolds.
Flower-Powered Prints: A Hands‑On Botanical Dye Workshop on Pender Island.
On Pender Island, Raven Rock Farm’s Botanical Printing Workshop—Flower Power! gathers makers around petals and cloth to explore the old‑school chemistry of colour. Led by natural dyer Darcy Smith, the four‑hour session pairs a short discussion of the dye garden and bundle‑dyeing/flower‑printing techniques with hands‑on work: participants use fresh and dried blooms to print on ready‑to‑dye 29" x 29" organic silk habotai scarves, leaving with a wearable piece and the basics to continue dye projects at home.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Guidance from an experienced natural dyer
Darcy Smith leads the workshop; a lifelong fibre artist who runs natural‑dye and botanical‑printing classes and grows dye flowers for workshops and kits, she frames the day with technique, process and practical tips drawn from years of practice.
Hands‑on flower printing on organic silk
Participants work directly with fresh and dried blooms to print on ready‑to‑dye 29" x 29" organic silk habotai scarves, using bundle‑dyeing and flower‑printing techniques; all supplies are provided.
A dye garden of sunshine colours
The workshop draws on blooms such as tango cosmos, coreopsis, marigolds, black night scabiosa, hollyhock and dyer’s chamomile to produce vivid, sun‑toned prints.
What the day feels like
What the workshop feels like
The day moves from short, grounded instruction into concentrated creative time: a discussion of the dye garden and flower‑printing/bundle‑dye techniques sets the stage, then participants select and arrange fresh and dried blooms on their ready‑to‑dye silk and work through the bundling and printing process under Darcy Smith’s direction — ending with the reveal of a personalized wearable artwork and the know‑how to replicate the method at home.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this workshop suits — and what to consider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
If joining a pruning or herbal portion bring secateurs or pruners. Wear suitable footwear for walking and clothing that can get dirty or stained; bring a water bottle. Pack rain gear, a hat and sunglasses as appropriate.
All workshop supplies for botanical printing are provided by the operator.
The workshop runs for four hours.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the workshop?
The workshop duration is four hours.
Do I need to bring supplies?
All supplies for the dyeing and printing process are provided; participants should bring secateurs or pruners only if joining a pruning or herbal session and should bring suitable footwear and a water bottle.
What will I make and what materials are used?
Participants create prints on ready‑to‑dye 29" x 29" organic silk habotai scarves using fresh and dried blooms from the dye garden.
Who teaches the workshop?
The workshop is taught by natural dyer Darcy Smith, a fibre artist who runs botanical printing and indigo workshops and grows dye flowers for classes and kits.
Which flowers are used for dyeing?
The workshop uses blooms such as tango cosmos, coreopsis, marigolds, black night scabiosa, hollyhock and dyer’s chamomile for bright, warm prints.