Ubud is usually associated with rice paddies, temples, yoga, cute cafes, and hotels hidden among lush greenery. But there's another way to approach Bali: through its crafts, its materials, and the people who keep traditions alive that have been passed down for generations.
One such place is Threads of Life, a project born around traditional Indonesian textiles and natural dye work. Their studio, located in Petulu, Ubud, offers workshops where you can learn techniques like batik, indigo dyeing, and the use of local dye plants. More than a creative activity, it's a way to connect with Indonesia's textile history from a slow, manual, and deeply territorial place.
Threads of Life works directly with over 1,200 women in more than 35 groups across 12 Indonesian islands, supporting livelihoods, reviving textile traditions, and promoting the conservation of plants used for dyeing.
Here you don't just come to make a pretty piece. You come to understand why a fabric can tell a story.
Threads of Life: Textiles, Women, and Tradition in Indonesia
Threads of Life is not just a workshop studio. It's an initiative that connects craftsmanship, territory, and community.
Their work stems from a simple idea: traditional Indonesian textiles are not just decorative objects, but a form of cultural memory. In many communities, women have been the main guardians of this knowledge, transmitting techniques, symbols, and processes that are part of each island's identity.
That's why visiting their studio or participating in one of their workshops is special. The journey stops being just observation and becomes participation: touching the fabrics, understanding where the colors come from, seeing how a natural dye is prepared, and discovering the patience each technique requires.
It's the kind of experience that fits with those looking for a less obvious Bali, more connected to local life. If you are also interested in traditional Indonesian textiles, we recommend reading what a sarong is and its meaning: you'll better understand why techniques like batik or ikat are much more than just a pretty print.
Batik and Natural Dye Workshops in Ubud
Threads of Life offers different classes at its Natural Dye Studio & Garden, from short workshops lasting a few hours to multi-day programs for those who want to delve deeper into the world of natural dyes.
Natural Dye Batik Class
The most popular option for those visiting Ubud and wanting to do something creative without dedicating several days. The workshop combines an introduction to the project, a walk through the dye plant garden, and a practical batik session on a cotton piece, working with wax, textile design, and indigo.
Ideal for: travelers who want a half-day local experience in Ubud. Approximate price: from Rp 950,000 (approx. €46) Book: Natural Dye Batik Class
Indigo Tie Dye Class
A shorter and very visual option, using resist techniques (folds, ties, stitches) on a cotton scarf and a t-shirt dyed with indigo. Each piece reacts differently, so the result always has an element of surprise.
Ideal for: those looking for a creative, light, and easy-to-fit activity into their itinerary. Approximate price: from Rp 750,000 (approx. €37) Book: Indigo Tie Dye Class
2-Day Studio Introduction
For those who want to go beyond a one-off class. It explores the creation, meaning, and application of natural colors through techniques like batik, yarn dyeing, and textile sampling.
Ideal for: people with a real interest in textiles, design, crafts, or natural processes. Approximate price: from Rp 3,200,000 (approx. €156) Book: 2-Day Studio Introduction
3-Day Studio Introduction & Creative Project
Combines a guided introduction during the first two days with a day dedicated to a personal creative project, practicing with indigo, brown tones, oxides, and mud blacks, as well as batik, shibori, or tannin painting.
Ideal for: creative travelers, designers, or textile artists who want time to experiment. Approximate price: from Rp 4,000,000 (approx. €195) Book: 3-Day Studio Introduction & Creative Project
4-Day and 5-Day Studio Introduction & Creative Project
Programs designed for those who wish to dedicate more time to the process: a technical foundation during the first few days and then studio time to develop a personal project. Almost a small creative residency in Ubud, away from more conventional tourism.
Ideal for: those traveling with more time or wanting Bali to also be a space for creative learning. Bookings: 4-Day Studio Introduction (from Rp 4,900,000, approx. €239) · 5-Day Studio Introduction (from Rp 5,800,000, approx. €283)
Studio Day Use
Allows access to the studio to practice with natural dyes such as indigo, Ceriops, Woodfordia, jackfruit heart, and mud. Designed for those who have previously completed an introductory program or a longer workshop, not so much for beginners.
Ideal for: people with previous studio experience or textile training. Approximate price: from Rp 950,000 (approx. €46) Book: Studio Day Use
Prices in Indonesian Rupiah according to the official website; the conversion to Euros is indicative and varies with the exchange rate. Threads of Life also offers accommodation next to the studio for those doing multi-day programs.
Why include Threads of Life on a trip to Bali
There are experiences that add something extra to the trip because they are not limited to "doing an activity". They allow you to better understand the place.
A workshop at Threads of Life is a way to look at Bali through its processes: the plants that give color, the techniques that require time, the communities that sustain the knowledge, and the women who have kept a fundamental part of Indonesian textile culture alive.
In a destination where it's easy to fall into repetitive plans, this experience has something different: it doesn't seek to impress, but to connect. With hands, with the earth, and with a tradition that is still alive.
Practical information
- Where: Threads of Life Dye Studio, Petulu, Ubud.
- Type of experience: batik, indigo, and natural dye workshops.
- Duration: from classes of a couple of hours to multi-day programs.
- For whom: curious travelers, lovers of design, crafts, local culture, and creative experiences.
- Official website: studio.threadsoflife.com
- All available classes: complete collection of workshops
- How to get there: if you are going to move around the island by public transport, ferry, or private car, take a look at our guide on how to get around Indonesia.
Before booking, it is advisable to check schedules, availability, and conditions directly on the official website, as they may change depending on the season or the studio's calendar.
Frequently asked questions about batik workshops in Ubud
Do I need prior experience to do a batik workshop in Ubud? No. The Natural Dye Batik Class and the Indigo Tie Dye Class are designed for beginners; only the Studio Day Use requires having completed an introductory program before.
How long does a batik workshop at Threads of Life last? Short classes last a few hours (half a day), while introductory programs extend from 2 to 5 days for those who want to delve deeper.
How much does a batik workshop in Ubud cost? Prices at Threads of Life range from Rp 750,000 (approx. €37) for the Indigo Tie Dye Class to Rp 5,800,000 (approx. €283) for the 5-day program. Exact and updated prices are on the official website.
An experience with local soul in Ubud
If you are preparing a trip to Bali and want to go off the beaten path, Threads of Life is one of those plans worth saving.
Not because it is spectacular in the classical sense, but quite the opposite: because it is calm, manual, conscious, and deeply connected with local culture.
A way to remember Ubud not only for its landscapes, but for what you learned to do with your hands.
Discover more plans with local soul in our articles about Bali or take our downloadable Bali guide for 10 days with itinerary, maps, and recommendations.
