Create Indigenous Gullah Geechee Medicine Clothes to Bind Up The Blues
We Are The Culture We Wear! | Small Group Workshop Limited to Four (4) Participants | 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM | Multiple Dates to Choose From
Learn the ancestral art of transforming everyday clothing into sacred "medicine clothes" using traditional Gullah Geechee indigo dyeing techniques. Rooted in the coastal Sea Island traditions of the Gullah Geechee people, this hands-on workshop explores how natural indigo was historically used not just for color, but as a spiritual and emotional balm to “bind up the blues.”
Participants will bring gently worn garments—such as shirts, skirts, scarves, or aprons—and immerse them in naturally prepared indigo vats. Guided by an Indigenous Gullah Geechee artist-educator, you’ll explore stories, symbolism, and the healing intentions behind each dye bath. Learn how the practice of upcycling is more than sustainability—it's an act of resistance, remembrance, and restoration.
Whether you're a textile lover, cultural heritage enthusiast, or looking for a soulful way to reconnect with your clothing, this workshop will leave you with wearable art infused with history, healing, and spirit.
What You’ll Learn:
- History and cultural meaning of indigo in Gullah Geechee traditions
- Techniques for preparing and dyeing garments using plant-based indigo
- The spiritual symbolism of “medicine clothes” and how they were used to uplift the soul
- Methods for mindful upcycling and personal storytelling through dye
Who It's For:
Open to all levels—artists, makers, educators, and anyone curious about ancestral textile traditions and sustainable fashion with cultural roots. Everything is provided except your garments to be dyed and your lunch.