To play truant
The booking covers studio use, indigo vat, and instruction. Bring your own item – an exclusive option at Blaumachen – or add blank goods at checkout.
Come to the Cosmaki studio in Cologne and experience indigo dyeing — one of the oldest crafts in the world. No prior knowledge necessary. 2 hours.
Organic Indigo — no synthetic pigments, no chemicals
Bring your own: bring your own natural fiber piece, included in the seat booking
Or select raw material at checkout, from 10€
Pre-washed - ready to dye
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
01 — Book a spot. €19 per person, bring your own item or choose raw materials at checkout
02 — Arrive. The vat is ready, materials are prepared
03 — Choose a technique. Shibori or free immersion
04 — Fold, bind, dye, oxidize
05 — Unfold and marvel. You take your item with you directly, still damp, protected in a bag
Note for home: You are responsible for washing out and fixing, all steps for this can be found on our care instructions page.
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's included in the €19 seat reservation?
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.
Can I bring my own piece?
Yes, exclusively possible with indigo dyeing. Cotton, linen, hemp, wool, and silk work; synthetic fibers do not take indigo. With color dyeing, this is not possible due to preparation requirements.
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.
What raw materials are available and how much do they cost?
Organic cotton tote bags, T-shirts and more, from €10. An overview can be found here.
Can I book as a group?
Yes. For private groups of 3 or more people, we offer special formats — view here.