Posted on by

Traditional Yoruba Dyeing Techniques with Indigo

Students hang recently dyed work to dry on a beautiful day

Gasali Adeyemo taught us so much during a recent workshop in the Penland textiles studio. Students in the textiles studio learned traditional Yoruba adire eleko (cassava-paste starch-resist) and tie-dye techniques and how to prepare an indigo vat.

Penland Core Fellow Nicholas McDonald with instructor Gasali Adeyemo

The class experimented with intricate patterns and learned about the history and meanings behind the traditional designs.

Students remove the cassava-paste starch-resist after dyeing with indigo, with help from instructor Gasali Adeyemo.

Gasali has been learning and teaching traditional dyeing techniques for over 30 years. He currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico and travels frequently, sharing sharing the arts and culture of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. You can find his work HERE.

A special T-shirt comes out of the indigo vat!

Want to take a textiles workshop at Penland? Find our upcoming workshops HERE.