Using the oldest traditional Japanese fabric dying technique, Shibori (that translates roughly as pole wrapping), create your own work of art. This is a type of tie dyeing in which certain areas on the cloth are reserved from dying by binding dots or stitching, allowing one to create intricate patterning in fabric surface. Learn how to successfully dye your fabric using natural plant materials, including indigo; a traditional blue dye commonly used with this technique. Finished designs will be completed on natural fabrics such as cotton, linen or silk.

Materials

To bring list for students:

• Plastic bags or zip lock bags in event of wet fabric at tend of class
• A packet of disposable gloves
• A ball of synthetic string
• Polyester thread
• 2 packets of elastic bands
• A selection of dried beans, rice, buttons, marbles or similar
• Masking tape
• Marker pen, scissors
• Pencil or washable fabric chalk
• Bull Dog clips
• Thread unpicker
• Apron
• A selection of fabrics (white or pale): light weight cottons tend to work well such as cotton voile. Approx 5 meters. (very cheap)

Silk has the best results, especially Habutae found at Batik Oetoro, 8/9 Arnhem Close Gateshead NSW 2290. Tel: 612 4943 8808. (4 meters approx)

It is recommended that you prewash your fabric before you arrive.
A disposable face mask (to protect against Indigo sulphur smell)

Helpful Tips

Silk is very sensitive and therefore very detailed results emerge (i.e. silk habutae). Cotton voile can also work very well. I recommend avoiding very thick or textured fabrics, as the patterning from the shibori techniques does not come out as intricate.
It is recommended that you pre-wash your fabric before dyeing to remove any stiffener or coating on the surface. Instead of pre-washing the fabric can also be pre-soaked in water before emersed into the dye bath during the class.

Recommended References:
Shibori: The Inventive Art of Japanese Shaped Resist Dyeing Tradition Techniques Innovation, Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, Mary Kellogg Rice, Jane Barton.
Memory on Cloth: Shibori Now by Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada

Recommended dye and habutae silk supply shop:
Batik Oetoro, 8/9 Arnhem Close, Gateshead NSW 2290. Tel: 61 2 4943 8808, Fax: 61 2 4943 8841,
or Email: sales@dyeman.com Web: www.dyeman.com
Also you could try:
Eckersley’s Art & Craft Caringbah, Tel: 9524 7878, Fax: 9524 7874
Silk Dupion fabric is available from Lincraft or Spotlight stores.

Learning Outcomes

• gained an understanding of OH &S required when dying fabric
• learned how to design and create intricate patterns on fabric using natural dyes and the shibori technique
• learned how to select appropriate tools, equipment and materials for the shibori fabric dying technique
• gained an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of shibori fabric dying.

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