“Blue Prints”, Scottish residential retreat week of Pattern making and Indigo dyeing AUTUMN 2026

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO BOOK A SPACE. ONLY 3 SPACES ARE AVAILABLE

It is my great pleasure to invite you to my 2026 autumn “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 13th and 20th October 2026. Only 3 spaces are available.

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 in my place. (special diets can be accommodated). as well as a welcome diner to meet the rest of your team. All evening meals, meals on your day off and diner on the 20th of October are not provided. There are many good venues for food, around my studio area.

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 13th October with check in after 3pm, welcome diner at 6pm with introduction to the group.

Day 1: 14th October About the chemistry of Indigo , setting up a ferrous vat, making the paste resist of Soya lime.

Day 2: 15th October Testing the vat, applying the paste resist, dyeing tests of a range of blues.

Day 3: 16th October Starting dyeing your pieces and testing the range of blues

Day off to enjoy the week end farmer market and any other Glasgow based places. No meals will be provided on that day.

Day 4: 18th October Applying more paste, testing different pieces.

Day 5: 19th October Removing and neutralising. During the week… neutralising our prints in vinegar water.

Day 6: 20th October finishing projects, preparing a show and tell. The workshop will finish at 3pm.

If you would like to stay another night I will communicate the hotel details and you can book yourself an additional night.

As this retreat is happening during the exhibition “Shades of Blue”, we will take two hours during the week to visit the exhibition in Kirkintilloch.

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.

BOOKING PROCEDURE:

The cost of the retreat is £1700 inclusive of accomodation, breakfasts and lunches, workshop delivery and all material and equipment. You are responsable for the transport to and from Glasgow and food on the day off.

To book pay the deposit of £1000 using the button below or contact me if any issues.

The balance of £700 will be due beginning of September.