Blaumachen

Come to the Cosmaki Atelier at machwerkhaus and experience indigo dyeing—one of the oldest crafts in the world.

• No prior experience necessary.
• 2 hours.
• Pick up after ~14 days.

HOW IT WORKS

01 — Reserve a spot, 19 € per person (on the website)
02 — Bring your own piece or choose one on-site
03 — Choose a technique: Shibori or free dyeing
04 — Fold, tie, dip, oxidize
05 — Unfold and be amazed
06 — We’ll take care of the rest. Pick up in about 14 days or have it shipped
 

Indigo dyeing is one of the oldest craft traditions in the world, practiced for millennia on every continent.

At the Cosmaki Atelier, you can experience this tradition for yourself. No prior knowledge or preparation required. Just come by, bring your piece, and get started.

Bring your own item.

An old T-shirt, a tank top, a bandana, or a pair of socks that deserve a new lease on life? Bring your own small natural-fiber textile and dye it with indigo. Included with your reservation. Cotton, linen, hemp, wool, or silk work well. Synthetic fibers do not take to indigo.

Every dye vat is alive. It’s tended to, nourished, and activated every day. Whatever you dye is always a piece of that moment.

Shibori: Dyeing by resistance.

Shibori is the Japanese art of tie-dyeing. It’s not the dye that determines the pattern, but what you keep away from it. Folding, tying, clamping. Each technique creates its own unique imprint.

In the studio, you’ll find instructions for various methods:

In Itajime, the fabric is folded geometrically and pressed between wooden boards or clamps. Sharp edges, clear shapes, often symmetrical.

In Arashi, the fabric is wrapped diagonally around a rod and pushed together. The result is reminiscent of rain or waves.

With Kumo, the fabric is tied at several points. Concentric circles form at irregular intervals—organic and never the same.

With free-form tying, you decide for yourself: knots, rolls, wraps. No plan, no mistakes.

What emerges from the dye bath and transforms before your eyes from green to blue is a one-of-a-kind piece.

After dyeing, we’ll take care of rinsing, neutralizing, and ironing. After about 14 days, you can pick up your piece or we’ll ship it to you (additional charge).

The reservation fee is €19 per person. You can dye one piece or several for an additional fee.

Don’t have your own piece on hand?

On-site, you’ll find raw fabric to choose from (you can also view it on the website HERE ) as well as a curated selection of secondhand pieces for dyeing, starting at 5 €. In good condition, secondhand, ready for a new life in blue. A symbol of circularity: Existing pieces aren’t replaced, but reinterpreted.