Shibori: Variations and Surprises using Natural Dyes

Students will examine the techniques and concepts of traditional Japanese Shibori.  Then we will quickly go beyond the basics to learn new processes and patterns.

ARASHI SHIBORI: Ana Lisa will demonstrate how to manipulate the fabric before and after wrapping cloth on a pole. Indigo will be our primary dye for Arashi.  We will also use Kakishibu persimmon tannin to create shades of rusty brown, grey, and black. Indigo and Kakishibu may be used on the same fabric with excellent results.

ITAJIME FOLDING AND CLAMPING:  We will resist scour silk organza scarves and refold several times using natural dyes and an iron modifier to create complex layers.  Ana Lisa will bring some carved blocks which will be used both on flat fabric and in conjunction with Arashi pleats.

KATANO SEWING MACHINE RESIST:  Dense sewing machine stitches can act like a clamp with delightful results.  Students will make a silk wool scarf, and various modular pieces suitable for art textiles, wearables and quilts. We will use alum as a pre mordant and also learn to make a one-bath acid dye application.

Skills and Techniques:

• Arashi shibori: Indigo on Cotton
• Arashi: Indigo on cotton
• Kakishibu
• patterns created with carved blocks over arashi pleats
• Resist scoured Itajime on silk organza
• DECK of CARDS:  sewing machine shibori, pieced silk
• Ladders:  Carved Blocks,  natural dyes on wool felt

Materials Fee: $40 – $50

Special Tools or Equipment: Please note that Sanborn Farms is incredibly well stocked with equipment both for dyeing and for shibori, but most of you will prefer to bring your own supplies knowing there is good backup available. At each table there is a drawer with pins, scissors (2 pairs), tape measure, blue fabric marker, seam ripper.  General Shibori tools available are string and blocks of wood for Itajime. There are 2 sewing machines for general use, and 3 irons.

-Students will need to bring:

• Scissors
• Needles
• Thread (regular and heavy craft thread, and rayon embroidery thread…sulky is a brand at Joann’s)
• Seam ripper
• Ball or cone of string
• Measuring tape
• Blue painter’s tape
• Metal C clamps (about 3”- 4” size)
• Blocks of wood for clamping (rectangles, squares, circles, triangles, or cut shapes no thicker than ½”).
• Simple bristle brushes ½”- 2”
• Rubber gloves
• Face mask
• Notebook
• PVC plastic pipe for Arashi: pieces about 36” long and between 2” and 4” in diameter.
• If you are driving, please bring more than one piece to possibly share with someone who is flying. (Me! For demonstration)
• If driving, a sewing machine is recommended, but optional.

*Sanborn has a nice inventory of fabric for sale at reasonable prices. Including Kona cotton, linen, some silk including organza, scarves, and wool. I know most of you will have a fabric stash or will want something particular to try. I recommend that students have different fibers, weaves, and weights. Suggested fabrics are medium weight silks such as silk noil, medium weight cotton, and silk organza scarves. Ana Lisa will bring some paper and specialized fabric to be covered by workshop a material fee. Unless the vendor sells print ready cloth, please pre-wash your fabrics in synthrapol or other PH neutral soap.  (Do not wash silk organza).

Workshop Policies: Please be sure to read our policies before you register for a workshop which can be found here Workshop Policies