It is my great pleasure to invite you to my 2026 “Blue print” a residential week of Indigo dyeing and print making using resists. If you have been looking for an opportunity to spend a week learning to dye with Indigo and work with resists methods to create patterns this residential time is for you.
It will take place in my Glasgow studio between the 17th and 24th of May 2026.
Wether you have experience in Indigo dyeing or are a complete beginner you will be at ease as we will start with the very beginning.
In my lovely dye studio located in the West end of Glasgow, a small group of students will spend a week learning :
- How to set up a ferrous natural Indigo vat, dye with it and maintain it.
- Creating prints using two resists methods from South East Asia, Batik with wax and a Chinese Soya/lime resist.
- Working on sample size pieces but be advised on how to upscale.
- We will essentially work with cellulose.
The size of the group will be limited to 4 students to make allow plenty of personal attention.
The week is residential and accommodation will be within a few minutes walk in single rooms with ensuite facility. Breakfast and buffet salad lunch is provided. (special diets can be accommodated). as well as a welcome diner to meet the rest of your team.
The West end of Glasgow is located near the University of Glasgow and features wonderful Victorian architecture, green parks and a great variety of cafes and restaurants with interesting cuisine at walking distance from our area. From French cafe to Moroccan local restaurant you will find there great diner experiences for the other nights of your stay.
During the week we will take a few hours off to visit the grounds of Glasgow University and the local park and you will have the last day off to allow a visit of the local area. Glasgow has plenty to offer and is only 45 minutes by train to the Scottish Capital of Edinburgh.
Typical week:
Arrival on Sunday with check in after 3pm, welcome diner at 6pm with introduction to the group.
Day 1: About the chemistry of Indigo , setting up a ferrous vat, making the paste resist of Soya lime.
Day 2: Testing the vat, applying the paste resist, dyeing tests of a range of blues.
Day 3: Starting dyeing your pieces and testing the range of blues
Day 4: Applying more paste, testing different pieces.
Day 5: Removing and neutralising. During the week… neutralising our prints in vinegar water.
Day 6: Batik, introduction, application and dyeing, removing the wax and neutralising.
Organising an exhibition of our work and offering to view from participants to those who had a link.
Day 7: Day off to allow you to visit Glasgow or take a trip to Edinburgh. Accommodation is provided for the Sunday night and check out is on Monday after breakfast before 10am.
Unfortunately this retreat is not for you if you have mobility difficulties, my studio space in at the bottom of stairs and we will spend a good deal of time standing up. Apologies if that is your case, There will be other opportunities in the future that are more appropriate.
If you are interested and you have questions please email me bettysbeautifullife@gmail.com If you are clear and want to book a space please see below.
BLUE PRINT – A WEEK’S SCOTTISH RETREAT IN INDIGO DYEING AND PATTERN MAKING
This is the booking page for the May 2026, “Blue Prints” a Scottish retreat week of Pattern Making with resist methods of Southeast Asia and a Ferrous Indigo vat. This deposit payment will secure you a space, the balance will be payable in two transfers £675 in January 2026 and £675 en March 2026. Upon payment you will receive a confirmation by email with an invoice and the due dates. Please do not book transport before the retreat has been confirmed.
£150.00
THE LANSDOWNE HOUSE 