Tracy Chaplin Millinery and Creative Workshops
Botanical Eco Printing and Stitch Techniques Workshop with Caroline Nixon
25 - 29 May 2026
We are excited to be hosting Caroline Nixon, English botanical artist and teacher on this five day retreat The workshop explores Botanical eco printing and Stitch techniques.
Caroline is a textile artist from The Cotswolds in the heart of England. She produces complex patterned cloth and garments, working with natural dyes, botanical contact print, shibori, free machine and hand embroidery. Caroline’s motivation to use exclusively natural dyes was to work in a way that was sustainable and did not damage the environment or her health. Once she discovered the complex and subtle interactions of cloth, mordant, dye and leaf, the artistic potential of the method motivated her to explore and experiment, pushing the boundaries and developing new techniques. A key part of the process is to understanding not just ‘how?’ but ‘why?’ Continually exploring the complex relationship between plant chemistry, mordants and dyes. This has extended her colour palette and produced colours and effects not normally associated with natural dyes. Particular areas of fascination are the ability of leaves to discharge and modify natural dyes, and the ability of added tannins to modify the colours of leaf prints. Ecoprint used to be associated with blurry brown prints. No longer! Caroline aims to demonstrate that natural colours can equal the range and complexity of their synthetic counterparts. Caroline is renowned for her clear, detailed and comprehensive teaching style.On her workshops you will experience many lightbulb moments as you experiment, analyse and understand, with a group of like minded printers. You will learn a lot, get great results, and have fun too. Caroline has taught and exhibited widely in the UK and abroad.
We are delighted to have the opportunity to host Caroline for a five-day retreat at her home near Toulouse. The workshop will be spread over five days and will explore Botanical Eco printing and Stitch techniques. The workshop will be hosted by Tracy Chaplin from her workshop / atelier in the beautiful countryside of South-West France. Tracy is a renowned milliner who has taught workshops from her home for over 10 years. An ecoprint workshop with a difference. The same comprehensive and intensive ecoprint teaching for which Caroline is renowned, enhanced by an exploration of stitching techniques to embellish your prints and make your work stand out from the crowd. You will discover: •How to identify the unique printing properties of the foliage available locally •The skills to discover the best printing leaves and identify and exploit their printing characteristics wherever you are foraging •How to obtain crisp clear prints with beautiful coloured backgrounds created with natural dyes and tannins •How to use multiple blankets…………and blankets with multiple dyes •How to add shibori techniques to your ecoprint •Ways to embellish ecoprint with stitch •How stitch can be used to create wall art – or just a tiny stitched detail to elevate an ecoprinted garment •The best stitches for portraying and embellishing botanicals •Ideas for planning and designing, so that the ecoprint and embellishment enhance rather than compete with each other •How to work with both protein and cellulose fabrics. We will not be working with paper or leather. •How stitch can transform your ecoprint failures into works of art (failures often make the best backgrounds for stitch!) •A wide array of dyes and tannins will be available, and those who have worked with Caroline before will have access to different ones to try •Individual projects encouraged and supported The stitch component will be optional – you can just carry on printing independently if you wish, but this is a unique opportunity to explore the wonderful way that stitch can add dimension and texture to your prints and produce exhibition worthy wall art - or a unique design element on a garment. Imagine sitting in dappled shade in the garden with the scent of lavender wafting on the breeze, mindfully stitching on your beautiful ecoprint while the wine chills and a delicious dinner cooks. This workshop is for people with ecoprint experience. At a minimum you should be achieving clear prints, be familiar with mordants, and know how to use blankets/carrier cloths. You don’t need to know how to stitch, we will start from the beginning. If you are a beginner printer and would like to attend, an option is to do Caroline’s online foundation course which will give you the necessary skills. Details can be found on Caroline’s website: - https://secure.smore.com/n/t6h17-foundation-skills-for-ecoprinters A detailed materials list will be provided prior to the workshop. Each student will receive mordanted fabric for day 1, and a pack of hand dyed and vintage threads. All dyes, tannins and mordants will be provided. You are welcome to message us with any queries you have. For workshop queries contact Caroline. Caroline.nixon@btinternet.com For any other queries please use the contact section on our website.
For further information and to book, please follow the link below: -