Resist Dyeing with Natural Pigments
2 days • July 24 + 25, 2026
10 am – 4 pm, daily
Pricing Options:
$200 non-member
$180 member
$175 early bird; deadline for early bird is May 15, 2026!
Payment plans and scholarships available. For questions, reach out to Margaret Lindahl: mlindahl@textilecentermn.org
Textile Center is thrilled to welcome back Abduljabbar Khatri + Sufiyan Khatri for a special two-day event exploring the art of Indian tie-and-dye (bandhani) and ajrakh block printing! Gain insight into the history of these art forms as they have evolved in the region of Kutch in Gujarat, India. The first day will be focused on the characteristic pinch and tie technique of bandhani and Abdul Jabbar will show students how to create the iconic dot pattern and texture. On the second day, students will learn ajrakh block printing techniques from Sufiyan Khatri — a 10th generation master. All levels welcome.
All materials and supplies for this workshop will be provided by the Instructor. Students should wear comfortable footwear and clothing that they don’t mind getting dirty.
Instructor Bios:
Abduljabbar Khatri belongs to a community of bandhani tie-dyers in Bhuj, in the Kutch District, Gujarat State, India. In 1992, he and his brother, Abdullah, started dyeing professionally, making cotton dresses, dupattas, and sarees for the Indian market. A huge earthquake in 2001 shattered homes and businesses in Kutch, and work became dependent on commercial traders and local market demands, with no creative satisfaction or control. A workshop on natural dyeing changed their lives to create only the highest level artistic work. The brothers have since created a niche for SIDRcraft, and are known for their technical finesse, attention to detail, and openness to experimentation. sidrcraft.com
Sufiyan Ismail Khatri is a 10th generation artisan whose family has been involved in the art of Ajrakh block printing since the 15th century. As a child he grew up listening to lots of stories about Ajrakh, it’s traditions and philosophy. By the time he was 14 years old, he was an apprentice to his grandfather, who shaped his thinking and understanding of the craft. For Khatri and his community of Ajrakhpur, Ajrakh is a way of life. Working in the Ajrakh craft workshops not only gradually leads to an increase in important skills, but also continues to act as an important medium of education, nourishment, and philosophy in their community.
Info for out-of-town guests:
For our out of town guests, nearby accommodations are available with our partner hotel, Hampton Inn and Suites, University Ave. in Minneapolis. For the special Textile Center rate and more info, visit our website here: textilecentermn.org/visit
Review our COVID-19 Safety Protocols at Textile Center here.
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Withdrawal Policy
If your notice of withdrawal is received by the early bird deadline for this workshop, you will receive a 50% refund of your workshop fee. Due to the scheduling nature of these classes and arrangements for instructors, no refunds are available after that. We will be happy to provide you with a receipt for your donation to Textile Center for any forfeited tuition. Please make this request in writing to mlindahl@textilecentermn.org.
Click here for full withdrawal and cancellation policy. Click here for directions and parking.