Register Online Now through August 10, 2026.
Join us for Eco Dye Scarf with Jena Hayama & Alison Ibara-Kawabe.
Bring Your Own flowers and Plants (BYOP) to create a unique botanical silk scarf.
Eco dyeing is a special technique that uses the natural pigments of plants to imprint color and images onto fabric. Local plants and flowers in season are wrapped into bundles and then steamed to print onto silk scarves.
Successful eco-printing using this method requires knowledge of (and access to) plants that are rich in tannins and natural dyes.
But what if you don’t have these plants?
In this class, we will use a “blanket” prepared with acid dye to create both positive and negative botanical prints on a silk scarf. This technique produces a scarf with a vivid background color and dramatic plant silhouettes. Plants may or may not have natural dye properties.
In other words, “ANY KINE” PLANT will work!
Bring your own flowers and leaves, especially ones with distinctive or unique silhouettes, and leave with your very own botanical printed silk scarf.
Experience with basic eco-dyeing technique is helpful, but not required.
There will be a $20 supply fee that includes one habotai silk scarf, dye supplies (iron mordant, prepared dye blanket, citric acid solution, plastic wrap, etc.) supplied and payable to the instructor on the day of class.
What to bring:
- Bring your own fresh plants and/or flowers. Any kind will work!
- $20 supply fee payable to Jena Hayama
- Bag lunch for short break (or get lunch downtown)
- Come dressed for dyeing
- *other suggestions: onion skins, pressed leaves/flowers, teas, herbs, tree bark or even seaweed may work!
Instructor Bio
Jena Hayama (aka J. Tanuki) is a "dye explorer" who experiments with locally grown plants in Hawaiʻi to dye fibers and make clothes, among other things.
You can see her work on Instagram under the handle @tanukiheadquarters
Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui members receive a discounted class fee. If you are interested in becoming a member please click HERE.
This class is open to adults. Minors ages 12-17 may take the class but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Both parent and child must register and pay the fee. If you are interested in taking the class with your child, please register online for yourself and your child as a guest. Those registering for a Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui class may add one guest based on availability.
We require a minimum of three participants for each class. A full refund will be issued to those registered, if class is cancelled by Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui. Refunds for class registration cancellation by participant will be issued in full only if the cancellation is made more than 14 days before the class begins.
Studio Location and Parking Map
For more information contact: classes@hawaiihandweavers.org
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HHH TERMS OF USE_CANCELLATION POLICY 6_2026.pdf
