Workshop and Show and Tell: Natural Dyes of Türkiye
In Person, Friday, October 3 and 4, 2025, 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. EDT
Carpet (detail), Western Iran, c. 1850-1950. The Textile Museum Collection 2001.3.1. Gift of Marion Stirling Pugh.
Two days of interactive programming explores the mastery of natural dyeing traditions in Türkiye. Through the workshop and show-and-tell sessions, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of natural dyes, including their historical, cultural and technical dimensions. The focus will be on the classical Anatolian color palette derived from madder root, a traditional dyestuff cherished by handwoven carpet makers and connoisseurs for centuries.
This program is in partnership with the International Hajji Baba Society.
Session 1: Friday, October 3 from 10:30am – 12:30pm
Instructor Deniz Coşkun will prepare yarns through the mordanting process and begin the first steps to extract purple shades from the madder root. During this session, Coşkun will also give a presentation on the historical, technical, and cultural significance of natural dyes in Türkiye. Registrants can also tour the exhibition Enduring Traditions: Celebrating the World of Textiles to view examples of natural dyes from the Anatolian region on display.
Session 2: Saturday, October 4, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Part two of the program will take place the following day. With a larger audience, Coşkun will reveal the results of the dyeing process started in session one. Registrants are invited to bring Turkish textiles, or those from Turkic and Kurdish tribal traditions in Persia with shades of red for a show-and-tell discussion. In the discussion Coşkun will highlight the socio-cultural and socio-economic contexts in which these textiles were originally produced.
About Deniz Coşkun
Born in Istanbul, Türkiye, Deniz Coşkun focused on weaving and natural dyeing while he was studying chemical engineering at university. He then completed an M.B.A. degree and specialized in nomadic and cottage weavings, studying with scholars and expert dealers. Fascinated by the weaving style of Anatolian Turkmen nomads, he traveled among Turkmen tribes examining the continuing tribal and ethnic structures of Anatolia since the Ottoman era. Coşkun often speaks at textile events, teaches natural dyeing and weaving courses, and leads cultural and textile-oriented tours in Anatolia.
How to Participate
These sessions will take place in person at the museum. Advanced registration is required, and space is limited. Indicate in your registration which session(s) you will join. No food or drink will be permitted in the program spaces.