WELCOME TO
THE FLORA OBSCURA ATELIER
HOW DOES THE ATELIER SERIES WORK?
The Atelier Series unfolds as an immersive, studio-based experience within this site’s membership space, paired with a live Zoom gathering each month which features a live demo of the month’s specific process and techniques. Inside, each month reveals a thoughtfully crafted studio guide filled with recipes, resources, techniques, and an open Q&A—inviting you to explore, create, and deepen your practice at your own pace.
If you join “The Full Atelier Bundle” now, you’ll have access to the studio guides and live class sessions from May and June— and then be with us going forward.
Each month reveals its own chapter, with carefully gathered resources, guidance, and important dates. You can return to the studio anytime, moving at your own rhythm, letting your practice unfold.
each month highlights a theme in
botanical printing and textiles
June — Flora Obscura Kaftan
Outcome: Finished kaftan— printed and sewn by you
An introduction to garment-making through a zero-waste approach which can be applied to any body shape and size— with no size constraints & fully customizable. You’ll cut and construct a simple, elegant form while incorporating your botanical prints, resulting in a piece that is both functional and expressive.
July — Heirloom flower wrap
Outcome: Botanically printed wrap made from vintage fabric
Using fresh summer flowers, you’ll transform a vintage texile or linen into something renewed— a zero-waste wrap jacket. This workshop explores the bold and saturated imprints of fresh flowers, working with heirloom textiles, and embracing their history and imperfections.
August — WILD BLOOM PONCHO
Outcome: A hand-printed poncho formed from a single piece of cloth
Created from one continuous piece of cloth, the poncho becomes the template for larger-scale compositions. Working with late summer plants, we’ll explore depth through floral motifs, large-scale botanical printing techniques and tonal shifts.
September — harvest TAPESTRY
Outcome: Finished textile pieced together from smaller botanical prints
A culmination of the seasons practice—you’ll bring togther collected prints, stitching them into a larger composition— a tapestry, wall hanging, quilt or made into a garment. This workshop centers on integration and honoring the full arc of what’s been created.
The Flora Obscura Atelier is a monthly series enveloped in natural dyeing, botanical printing, and beginner-friendly sewing projects. Each month unfolds within a thoughtfully curated studio guide, where you’ll receive a thoroughly detailed Studio Guide with visual and written instructions, videls, resources, techniques, and open Q&A to support your practice.
A live Zoom session, centered around a seasonal theme, brings us together each month.
The only prerequisite is a copy of my book— Printing from the Garden. Welcoming to beginners and advanced students alike, the sewing projects require access to a sewing machine and basic straight stitch skills.
Save with the Full Atelier bundle. The Atelier is designed to be spacious, flexible, and deeply immersive—offering a steady, supportive rhythm for those ready to fully step into botanical printing and garment-making. Over five months, you’ll move through the process with intention, creating a collection of pieces crafted by your own hands.
Inside the Studio
Each month = a new chapter
→ Materials list
→ Botanical focus
→ Technique tutorials
→ Inspiration & references
→ Key dates
A Monthly Rhythm
How You Move Through Each Month
Week 1 — Gather & prepare
Week 2 — Learn via live session
Week 3 — Create your piece
Week 4 — Refine & reflect
your project path
You can choose your way intuitively:
→ Follow the full 5-month journey (build a wardrobe)
→ Or join for a single piece (like the kaftan)
Each month builds skill + confidence
The Atelier Archives—
A collection of standalone workshops for makers who wish to explore a specific project or creative study. Choose individual courses and learn at your own pace—no membership required.
Atelier Archive I: The Woodland Shawl— A dark botanical silk velvet study.
In this workshop, you'll learn how to combine ecoprinting and natural dye techniques to create a dramatic textile infused with the beauty of fresh leaves and flowers. You’ll capture the delicate verdant impressions in sumptuous silk velvet, while a dark logwood carrier blanket provides depth, contrast, and atmosphere.
No sewing is required. Simply arrive with a length of fabric and a curiosity for the natural world.
Say hello to my first sewing pattern! The Flora Obscura Kaftan: Edition One is a paperless sewing pattern that transforms simple lengths of fabric into an elegant, wearable silhouette. Designed with simplicity in mind, this project requires only straight cuts and straight seams, making it an approachable introduction to garment sewing.
Custom Sizing— The Flora Obscura Kaftan is drafted directly from your own measurements using a simple formula. Rather than conforming to standard sizing, each piece is shaped around your unique proportions, resulting in a garment that feels effortless, comfortable, and distinctly your own.
Low-to-No-Waste Construction— This is a patternless sewing project designed to honor both fabric and maker. No paper patterns are required—nothing to print, tape, or cut out before you begin. The cutting layouts are designed maximize fabric usage and minimize waste.
FAQs
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A new chapter is revealed each month with fresh lessons, resources, live sessions, and important dates. You’re welcome to join at any time—students who enroll retroactively receive access to the current month’s materials, upcoming monthly chapters, and all live sessions moving forward, with the freedom to move through the content at their own pace.
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The series runs from May through September, with one live session each month, usually falling on the second Thursday of each month, at 11am EST.
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Most sessions are held on the second Thursday of the month at 11am EST, chosen to suit as many participants as possible.
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All live sessions are recorded and immediately posted to the Atelier, so you can catch up anytime. Each month includes a live session, supported by pre-recorded videos and detailed visual guides. You’ll learn both dye techniques and simple garment construction in a clear, approachable way.
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Materials are not included. You’ll receive a sourcing guide, along with ideas for using fabrics and garments you already own.
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Not at all. We’ll cover everything from mordanting fabric to eco-printing, and those with experience will still find room to deepen their practice.
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A basic familiarity with sewing and access to a machine is helpful. Projects are simple and adaptable—this is about learning and enjoying the process, not perfection. You can leave your pieces as textiles rather than wearables— think wall tapestry, quilt, shawl, tablecloth…
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Each month includes a live session, supported by pre-recorded videos and detailed visual guides. You’ll learn both dye techniques and simple garment construction in a clear, approachable way. Alison is available weekly for questions and an ongoing Q&A session will be posted in the Atelier.
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Yes—this lives on a page in the Atelier and is a space to ask questions, share progress, and stay motivated. It’s also where you can reach me between sessions for additional support.
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All content can be accessed for one year, after which the courses retire into individual offerings.
