To play truant
Studio fee · per person
Come to the Cosmaki studio in Cologne and experience indigo dyeing – one of the oldest crafts in the world. You choose your raw material on-site or bring your own item. No prior knowledge necessary. 2 hours. Pick-up after ~14 days.
Want to make sure your desired raw material is available? You can reserve it directly at checkout – we'll set it aside for you.
Organic Indigo — no synthetic pigments, no chemicals
Choose raw materials on-site — T-shirt, bag or socks, you decide (additional costs apply!).
Transformation — Bring your own pieces
Ready to dye — pre-washed.
We do the rest — Wash, neutralize, iron. Pickup after ~14 days or shipping.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
01 — Book your spot · €19 / person
02 — Choose raw material on site or bring your own item
03 — Choose technique — Shibori or free-form dipping
04 — Fold, tie, dip, oxidize
05 — Unfold & marvel
06 — We take care of the rest — Pick up after ~14 days or shipping
Indigo dyeing is one of the oldest craft practices in the world, spanning millennia and every continent.
At Cosmaki Atelier, you can experience this tradition yourself. No prior knowledge, no preparation needed. You come, choose your raw material, and get started.
Every dye vat is alive. It is maintained, fed, and activated daily. What you dye is always a piece of that moment.
Shibori - Color through Resistance.
Shibori is the Japanese art of resist dyeing: the pattern is not determined by the dye, but by what you keep it away from. Folding, tying, clamping — each technique creates its own imprint.
At the atelier, you'll find instructions for various methods:
In Itajime, the fabric is geometrically folded and pressed between wooden boards or clamps. Sharp edges, clear shapes, often symmetrical.
In Arashi, the fabric is wrapped diagonally around a pole and pushed together. The result is reminiscent of rain or waves.
In Kumo, the fabric is tied in several places — concentric circles emerge at irregular intervals, organic and never the same.
With free tying, you decide: knotting, rolling, winding. No plan, no mistakes.
What comes out of the vat and transforms from green to blue before your eyes is unlike any other piece in the world.
All raw materials are pre-washed by us. After dyeing, we take care of washing out, neutralizing, and ironing. After about 14 days, you can pick up your piece or we can send it to you.
The atelier fee is €19 per person. You can dye one piece or several. You can reserve your raw material directly at checkout or choose it on site. A preview can be found HERE
Bring your own piece.
An old T-shirt, a shirt, a blouse that deserves new life? You can bring your own natural fiber textile and dye it with indigo (included in the atelier fee). Cotton, linen, hemp, wool, or silk. Synthetic fibers do not take indigo dye.
Or grab from the rack.
At Blaumachen, you'll find a curated selection of secondhand pieces for dyeing, starting from €5. Well-preserved, secondhand, ready for a new life in blue.
A sign of circularity and a more conscious approach to clothing: existing pieces are not replaced, but reinterpreted and brought into a new life cycle.
Blaumachen takes place every workday.
FAQ
What is included in the €19 studio fee?
Studio use, the indigo vat, all materials, tools, guidance, and the complete post-processing of your piece - rinsing, neutralizing, ironing. You can also select and pay for raw materials on site, starting from €10.
What's the difference between Shibori and freediving?
Shibori is a Japanese folding technique – you fold, tie, or clamp the fabric before it goes into the indigo dye bath. The folded areas remain light, while the rest turns blue. Free dyeing means: placing the fabric unfolded into the bath, resulting in an even, deep blue. You decide on site.
What raw materials are available and how much do they cost?
Organic cotton tote bags, t-shirts and caps — from 10€. All blanks are pre-washed by us and ready to dye. You can find a preview here.
Why does the studio fee cost more than for painting?
Indigo is a more complex dye—the vat must be maintained, tempered, and activated. And the post-processing requires more time and care than with botanical dyeing. The higher price honestly reflects this effort.
Can I book as a group?
Yes. For private groups of 3 or more people, we offer special formats — view here.