Save the Date for the FTWG 2026 Conference

April 16 - 19, 2026

Due to COVID-19, FTWG cancelled its 2020 Conference one week before it was scheduled to start. As a result, this workshop was not taught in 2020.

Khmer Hol & Indigo Dye

Skill Level

Beginner

Required Skills:

  • No dyeing experience required.  The yarns we dye will not be woven as they will be taken home wet.  You need the skill to warp and weave with the yarn once you are home.

Class Length

  • 2.5 Days
  • Friday: 9 am to 12 pm, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 12 pm, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am to 12 pm

Description

Khmer textiles are among the most intricate and beautiful silk ikats in the world.  This workshop focuses on learning the techniques used by Cambodian artists to create these 2/1 twills with patterned wefts.  Working with natural fibers (tencel, cotton, silk, or wool) and indigo dyes, yarns will be tied and dyed during the workshop.  You will have the opportunity to study Khmer textile samples and you will learn to graph designs.  You will then make preliminary samples and learn to create individual designs.

A variety of bright colors and neutral colors may be used.  Working with indigo on white, a range of blues will be achieved through repeated dipping.  When bright colors are used, a different range of blended colors will be achieved.

Fees

Registration Fee $260 for FTWG members and $295 for all others.
Materials Fee $10

Materials Fee includes: Materials fee of $10 for dye, distilled water, resists for tying, graph paper, handouts, and warping pegs.

Students to Bring

  • A minimum of four ounces 10/2 tencel or other natural fiber for weft
  • A minimum of one pound of additional fiber for warp
  • Two C clamps to hold warping pegs or a frame for tying; students will receive specs for building a frame, if desired
  • Three different colors of pencils
  • Scissors
  • Plastic bags for carrying wet yarn home
  • Gloves
  • Apron
  • Safety glasses
  • Mask
  • Tags for labelling skeins

Instructor Bio

Barb Cabral

Headshot of speaker Barb Cabral

Barbara Cabral received her MA from the University of Akron researching the use of madder in Ohio coverlets. She has taught Contemporary Needle Arts at the University of Akron and in Tallin, Estonia, where she collected Estonian and traditional card-weaving textiles. She lectures on textile topics including Pictorial Needle Felting, Khmer Hol (Ikat), Natural Dyes, Sewing with Handwoven Fabric, Working with Lotus Fiber, and Estonian Knitting.

Since the early 1980s, her work has been exhibited in Ohio and in Florida. In 2020, she received 1st place in the HGA fashion show Seasons of the Smokies for a woven and needle-felted cloak. In 2022, her woven and needle-felted vest and hat were also included in the HGA Convergence fashion show. She now shares these award-winning techniques in workshops and lectures.

Raising silkworms since 2013 led her to travel to Thailand and Cambodia where she visited textile venues and met with weavers, dyers, golden silkworm farmers, and conservators. She continues to travel to Cambodia to study Khmer Hol (Ikat) and enjoys presenting workshops & lectures on Khmer weaving.

Gallery

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