Workshops

 

Spend the afternoon in a stunning Mekong riverside garden. Prepare natural dyes and dye your own silk scarf. The workshop looks at silkworms, natural dyes and weaving techniques. The afternoon’s programme is interactive and full of fascinating information; a unique and entertaining opportunity to learn about silk dyeing & weaving.

 

Time: 3.00 p.m – 5.30 p.m

 

3.00 – 3.30 p.m. Meet the silkworms. First there is an explanation about the worms’ lives; where they come from, who makes silk in Laos and a bizarre list of facts regarding sericulture. Guests are invited to prepare mulberry leaves and feed the worms.

 

3.30 p.m. – 4.45 p.m. Dye your own scarf with a natural dye. After a brief introduction to the natural dyes, guests are invited to prepare a dye source. Indigo – green, turmeric – yellow, sappan – pink or purple, lemongrass – light yellow, annatto – monk robe orange, indigo paste – blue. After preparing the dye source white scarves are dyed in the chosen colours. (fruit and light refreshments are served)

 

4.45 – 5.30 p.m. Try weaving & meet the weavers. After an introduction to weaving techniques guests are invited to try weaving and spinning on our demonstration looms.

 

Did you know that you can eat silk worms after the silk has been spun?

Did you know that a number of the dye sources also make great tasting drinks?

On average a weaver can weave around 30 cm a day.

 

 

5.30 – 6.00 p.m. Enjoy a cocktails and Lao canapes as the sunsets behind the mountains on the Mekong.