Carol Soderlund fabric dyeing workshops
Carol Soderlund fabric dyeing workshops
Carol Soderlund fabric dyeing workshops
Carol Soderlund fabric dyeing workshops
Carol Soderlund fabric dyeing workshops

Carol Soderlund

An artist and educator for 25+ years, Carol’s curiosity about the range of color derived from blending yellow, red, and blue dyes led to the creation of her Color Mixing system for dyers. Carol encourages the freedom of mixing color by eye with results-based samples to guide the student, and also teaches simple methods for reproducing color on cloth. 

A former high school teacher, Carol loves to develop original course material and share this knowledge with her students. Carol was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2013 and again in 2015 by the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals.  

Carol is co-author of Playful Fabric Printing with Melanie Testa. She has shown her quilts in juried venues across the country, winning awards including Best of Show at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas.

Carol’s web site

  • • May 17-22, 2026 | Chromaticity: Flat and Glowing

    Open or Close
    Chromaticity: Flat and Glowing
    • Level: Intermediate to advanced - Some previous experience with Procion MX dyes required
    • Sewing machine:     No
    • Materials fee:     $75
    • Dye facility usage fee: $30

    • SORRY, class is full To be placed on waiting list, please send in registration & deposit. If space does not become available, a full refund of the deposit will be issued.

    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class with Carol:
    • $1600 | paid in full before December 1, 2025 | 5-day Tuition ($1250) & Meal plan ($350)
    • $1625 | paid in full before February 1, 2026 | 5-day Tuition ($1275) & Meal plan ($350)

    • Sign up for one or both weeks of Carol’s workshops.
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    DESCRIPTION
    In this workshop we will be delving into the relationship between color and light. As David Hornung says in his text Colour, “The relationship between color and light is one of the most powerful aspects of two-dimensional art. Light itself has a mysterious psychological effect. To see light appear to emanate from within a group of colors is an arresting visual experience.”

    Of course, as artists in cloth, we want to translate these ideas to fabric, creating cloth that can convey pure, glowing color, that appears luminous when used, and creating partnered hues that are less glowing, less luminous, ready to be used as contrast in compositions.

    To this end, students will learn     three methods of creating flat/glowing pairs in hand-dyed cloth with Procion MX dyes, using color recipes provided as well as color inspiration they bring from personal inspiration files such as paint chips, photographs, and swatches.

    Swapping and sharing of color recipes and samples will follow, so that students will emerge with a notebook of flat/glowing pairs and how to achieve them in their own studio practice. In personal projects will also explore the effects of resists and overdyeing and the interplay of color on one piece of cloth.
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    SUPPLIES
    (Please label your own supplies)

    Fabric:
    • 10-12 yards fabric for further dye explorations (PFD - prepared for dyeing - fabric recommended. In addition to cotton, you may bring some silk, rayon, linen or tencel.)
    • Optional: samples of your dyed fabric and/or photos of your work

    Office supplies:
    • Notebook for note taking and a pen
    • Pencil with a working eraser or a separate eraser
    • Three-ring binder,     one 1” thick
    • 40 CLEAR page protectors (Buy in bulk at office supply store: do not buy those that have holes through the main section of the page protector. You want the ones with holes through the band on the margin.)
    • Scotch double sided tape - 1/2” wide (enough to total 30 yards of tape)
    • Masking tape
    • Stapler plus extra staples
    • Sharpie (permanent marker)
    • Calculator

    Cutting tools:
    • Small pair scissors for paper and one for fabric
    • Rotary cutter (Bring a fresh straight blade as you will cut through numerous layers at once. The large (60mm) cutters work the best for this. The 45mm cutters can work but you must have arm strength.)
    • Rotary cutting mat (11” x 17” or larger)
    • Quilter’s plexiglas rulers (6” x 12” is suggested size. Must be at least 12” long)
    • Optional: June Tailor Shape Cut ruler - the size with slots at least 11” long

    Plastic Items: (If you are flying, the orange juice bottle can be obtained at the grocery store after arriving. Check with Carol first.)
    • Plastic picnic spoons - 5-10 spoons
    • One plastic orange juice bottle - 1.79L Simply Orange brand (or limeade, etc.)
    • Three 6 or 8 oz. pointy top bottles - these will hold your dye supply at your table
    • Flat piece of plexiglass - 1/8” thick by 11” x 14” or 12” x 12” - exact size not critical, as long as all sides are at least 11.” (available at home centers or local glass shops)

    Other items:
    • 3 lingerie bags, 16” x 20” with zippers - these will be used in the washout process
    • Straight pins - for use on design wall
    • Iron and ironing pad, or old terry towel (if you are driving)
    • Adhesive lint roller from the dollar store
    • Rubber gloves - both the loose dishwashing kind that extend up the arm, and the close-fitting latex or nitrile kind
    • One roll paper towels (if you are driving)
    • 3 large buckets - 3-5 gallons (if you are driving)
    • 1 large strong plastic spoon at least 12” long - straight, not bent, is better
    • 1 box of one gallon Ziploc bags
    • Apron or old clothes
    • Graduated cylinders - if you have some from previous classes, bring your 50ml, 100ml and 250ml cylinders. Carol will bring extra cylinders to share.


    Materials fee info:
    Carol will provide all dyes and chemicals necessary, as well as detailed handouts, printed swatch book pages, and fabric for the color samples. she will also bring a variety of other equipment to use in class.

    If you have any questions about the materials list or the course in general, please     contact Carol

  • • May 24-29, 2026 | Color Mixing for Dyers 6

    Open or Close
    Color Mixing for Dyers 6
    • Level: Beginner to advanced - Previous experience with Procion MX dyes a plus, but not required
    • Sewing machine: No
    • Materials fee:     $95
    • Dye facility usage fee: $30

    • 6 spaces available

    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class with Carol:
    • $1600 | paid in full before December 1, 2025 | 5-day Tuition ($1250) & Meal plan ($350)
    • $1625 | paid in full before February 1, 2026 | 5-day Tuition ($1275) & Meal plan ($350)

    • Sign up for one or both weeks of Carol’s workshops.
    DESCRIPTION
    This is a brand new class!

    Students will be creating a sixth set of color families never previously dyed in Carol’s classes. We will be using some different yellow, red, and blue dyes as primaries than in previous classes, including some fairly new to the marketplace. Whether you are brand new to Carol’s process of creating color mixes from pure primary colors, or if you are an experienced dyer wanting a new set of samples, this is your opportunity!

    Dye the color you choose, not the color that chooses you! Explore the unlimited number of hues possible by mixing only pure reds, yellows, and blues of Procion MX fiber reactive dye. Teams of students will use different sets of primaries that when mixed will yield hundreds of colors in a wide range of values. Sharing the results, each student will build a sample book of more than 1,000 dye swatches and their recipes on 100% cotton fabric. This book will become an invaluable reference for future dyeing. Using the sample book as a guide, each student will apply the basic techniques of dyeing, including dyeing value gradations, over-dyeing, and low water immersion techniques.

    Along with this hands-on approach, students will come to understand color theory in three-dimensional model that goes beyond the color wheel. We will examine the difference between color theory and color reality, and break through the confusions of so many color systems that are not dye-based. This course will be a wonderful foundation for wearable artists, quilters, needleworkers, weavers, and dyers of cellulose fibers and silk, or for anyone who wants to learn more about the interactions of color.
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    SUPPLIES
    (Please label your own supplies)

    Fabric:
    • 5 yards fabric for further dye explorations (PFD - prepared for dyeing - fabric recommended. In addition to cotton, you may bring some silk, rayon, linen or tencel. Note to weavers: It is fine if you would like to bring some skeined yarns for dyeing: cotton, linen, rayon, tencel, or silk.)
    • Optional: samples of your dyed fabric and/or photos of your work

    Office supplies:
    • Notebook for note taking and a pen
    • 2 three-ring binders,     one 1 1/2” thick, and one 1/2” thick
    • 100 CLEAR page protectors (Buy in bulk at office supply store: do not buy those that have holes through the main section of the page protector. You want the ones with holes through the band on the margin.)
    • Scotch double sided tape - 1/2” wide (enough to total 100 yards of tape)
    • Masking tape
    • 30 long (#10) envelopes
    • Stapler plus extra staples
    • 20 rubber bands
    • Sharpie (permanent marker)
    • Calculator

    Cutting tools:
    • Small pair scissors for paper and one for fabric
    • Rotary cutter (Bring a fresh straight blade as you will cut through numerous layers at once. The large 60 mm cutters work the best for this. Students tell me that if you bring a 45 mm cutter you will struggle, as the depth of fabric is deeper than the exposed blade.)
    • Rotary cutting mat (11” x 17” or larger if you can manage it)
    • Quilter’s plexiglas rulers (6” x 24” and 6” x 12”)
    • Optional: June Tailor Shape Cut ruler - the size with slots at least 11” long - This is particularly good for weavers and those inexperienced in rotary cutting.

    Other items:
    • Iron and ironing pad, or old terry towel (if you are driving)
    • Adhesive lint roller from the dollar store
    • Rubber gloves - both the loose dishwashing kind that extend up the arm, and the close-fitting latex or nitrile kind
    • 3 pointy top squeeze bottles, 8 oz. each
    • 2 five gallon buckets (if you are driving)
    • 1 large strong plastic spoon at least 12” long - straight, not bent, is better
    • 1 box of one gallon Ziploc bags
    • Dye mask, if you have one
    • Apron or old clothes

    Plastic containers: (If you are flying, we will arrange to get these items for you as needed.)
    • 1 plastic orange juice bottle - Simply Orange brand (or limeade, etc.) - at least 1.5L
    • 1 one gallon milk jug - Rinse all jugs, and be sure to keep the caps!



    Materials fee info:
    Carol will provide all the dyes and chemicals necessary, as well as over 100 pages of handouts and swatch book pages, and all the fabric necessary for the sample book. Carol will bring a variety of other equipment to use in class.


    If you have any questions about the materials list or the course in general, please     contact Carol
  • • 2026 Spring Art Retreats | Tuition and Meal Plan
    Tuition & Meal plan for 1-week class with Carol Soderlund:
    • Sign up for one or both weeks of Carol’s workshops.
    • $1600 | paid in full before December 1, 2025 | 5-day Tuition ($1250) & Meal plan ($350)
    • $1625 | paid in full before February 1, 2026 | 5-day Tuition ($1275) & Meal plan ($350)
    + $105 materials & dye facility usage fee for Chromaticity
    + $125 materials & dye facility usage fee for Color Mixing for Dyers 6

    Tuition & Meal plan for 2-week classes with Nancy Crow:
    Both weeks (10-day class) of these workshops are to be taken back-to-back. No registrations accepted for only one week.
    • $3200 | paid in full before December 1, 2025 | 10-day Tuition ($2500) & Meal plan ($700)
    • $3250 | paid in full before February 1, 2026 | 10-day Tuition ($2550) & Meal plan ($700)

    Tuition & Meal plan for 2-week class with David Hornung:
    Both weeks (10-day class) of this workshop are to be taken back-to-back. No registrations accepted for only one week.
    Class size limited to 16 students.
    • $3700 | paid in full before December 1, 2025 | 10-day Tuition ($3000) & Meal plan ($700)
    • $3750 | paid in full before February 1, 2026 | 10-day Tuition ($3050) & Meal plan ($700)
    + $60 facility usage fee


    Meal plan
    During the art retreats, Margaret Wolf, will prepare fabulous gourmet lunches and dinners plus a coffee/snack break daily during each week of class. The meal plan is provided so participants may concentrate fully on their work without being bothered by the interruption and inconvenience of cooking for themselves. The break times present a great opportunity to get to know your fellow students, share ideas, and just relax together in this wonderful environment.

    The meal plan includes an opening night welcome dinner, five lunches, five afternoon coffee/pastry breaks, and four more dinners during the duration of the workshop. Coffee, tea and water will be served during these break times. Participants are responsible for any other beverage choices, such as soda pop, beer, wine, milk or bottled water.

    Please keep in mind that if anyone chooses not to participate in the meal plan, they are solely responsible for all of their meals, snacks, coffee, tea, and other beverages. The kitchen facilities are reserved for the resident chef. There is a microwave and a refrigerator in the wet studio for student use. Most restaurants are at least a 20 minute drive away from the barn.

    Please note: Due to facility limitations, meal plans are available only for workshop participants.
  • • Accommodations
    Accommodations:

    New hotel Hampton Inn, Canal Winchester, Ohio (20-25 minute drive to Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    This new, highly rated, clean, comfortable hotel is offering reduced rates. Phone: 614-953-2204
    • For special rate, please book online

    The Morgan Theater Home, Baltimore, Ohio (5 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn, mention Crow Barn)
    Former silent movie theater converted into a private residence. Three rooms for rent include free cable TV & free high speed internet access. Kitchen/refrigerator/stove & all "kitchen stuff" available. Phone: 740-862-4765 or Email

    Other accommodations, please negotiate your own weekly rates:

    AirBnB options in the area near the Crow Timber Frame Barn

    City of Lancaster, Ohio (20-25 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    • Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 740-654-4445
    • Hampton Inn, 740-654-2999
    City of Reynoldsburg, Ohio (20-25 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    • Fairfield Inn, 614-864-4555

    Campgrounds near the Crow Timber Frame Barn
    Rippling Stream Campground, Baltimore, OH, 740-862-6065, (5 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    KOA Campground, Buckeye Lake, OH, 740-928-0706, (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
  • • Miscellaneous information
    Roommate
    • Please let us know if you would like a roommate. We will try to match you with another participant to share accommodations.

    Travel to and from the Crow Timber Frame Barn
    • The Barn is located near Baltimore, Ohio (southeast of Columbus, Ohio)
    • Please keep in mind that there is not a shuttle service to and from the motels to the farm, therefore please arrange a rental car or carpool with another participant.
    • John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio, is the major airport serving the area (30 minute drive to the Barn)

    Rental sewing machines, cutting mats & lamps
    • Bernina sewing machines are available for $75 per 5-day class or $150 per 10-day class.
    • Cutting mats are available for $15 per 5-day class or $30 per 10-day class.
    • Lamps are available for $15 per 5-day class or $30 per 10-day class.

    Formal class hours
    • Monday-Friday: 9-12 and 2-5 daily
    (Classrooms are open 7 am-9 pm Monday-Thursday, 7 am-5 pm Friday)

    Professional facilities
    Each student is provided with a large work table, an 8’ x 8’ work wall, and a comfortable chair. Classrooms are well illuminated and are open from early morning until late in the evening, plus the classrooms have air conditioning & heating. The surface design/dye studio at the Crow Timber Frame Barn includes large padded tables, lots of light (natural and color-corrected bulbs), 3 commercial stainless steel sinks, & washer/dryer. All facilities are non-smoking.

    Mailing list
    If you would like to be placed on a mailing list for information about upcoming art retreats, please send your contact info.

    Questions? Email
Images of Carol Soderlund, student work and classes at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

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