Fresh Leaf Indigo & Tatakizome in the Hudson Valley

A Day of Color, Curiosity, and Community

Last weekend, I led a workshop, hosted by Jill Duffy at Farm & Field in the Hudson Valley that felt truly magical. The focus was on fresh leaf indigo dyeing and tatakizome (the Japanese technique of flower pounding), but the day offered so much more—meandering walks, spontaneous creativity, and a deep sense of connection to the land and each other.

After introductions and my sharing of some sample pieces, Jill led us on a foraging walk through her beautiful family farm. Before the heat set in, everyone gathered plants that would later become marks and memory on cloth—ferns, sumac, mugwort, and more. The walk ended in Jill’s dye garden, where cosmos, coreopsis, and indigo were in full, vibrant bloom, ready to share their color.

Back at the barn, I demonstrated a few simple shibori techniques, ideal for the fresh indigo leaf bath we’d be using on silk scarves. Once the leaves were processed, we moved quickly—fresh indigo only has a short window where its enzymes are active. The results were stunning: the initial green shade transformed to turquoise blue on the scarves during the oxidation process, and the reveal moment brought delight all around.

Midday, we paused for a delicious farm-to-table lunch prepared by Jill and her family—fresh eggs, vegetables from the garden, and chicken from just down the road. We ate under the shade of old-growth trees, with good conversation and a sense of real nourishment, both physical and creative.

In the afternoon, we returned to the barn to explore tatakizome on cotton tote bags. The space filled with the sound of hammers and laughter as participants experimented with flowers, leaves, stencils, and rubbings. Some created intricate, layered designs, while others went for bold and abstract. I loved watching the group’s curiosity unfold—it reminded me why I love teaching so much. As I said at the start: one of the best parts of teaching is what I learn from my students. A beginner’s mind is a powerful thing.

This workshop was a beautiful meeting of art, nature, and community—and I’m still buzzing from the joy and color of the day.