Coast Salish Wool Weaving: Natural Dyeing Yarns ~ Tulalip Nation

This weekend-intensive course will be held at the Tulalip Nation, roughly two and a half hours north of Olympia. It focuses on Coast Salish fiber arts practices with special attention to Tulalip tribal traditions.

This is part of a four-course sequence focused on the art and science of natural dyeing, leading to the creation of a completed shawl. Students will learn the fundamental principles of natural dyeing, including an overview of traditional and contemporary dyes and an introduction to fiber characteristics. The course offers hands-on experience in dyeing yarns and in using mordants and modifiers to achieve varied color effects.

In addition to technical skills, the curriculum covers the history and cultural significance of dyeing in Coast Salish territories, with a focus on locally sourced Indigenous dyes, while exploring modern trends in textile design and color applications. By the course’s end, students will have produced dyed yarns ready for weaving.

This is the third of four courses that make up the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Certificate. Courses must be taken in sequence.