Experience the surface design technique of shibori, and create unique patterns on fabric using the natural dye indigo. Shibori, or “physical resist”, has been a traditional pattern-making technique throughout history–– from tie-dye of the 60’s through now with recent focus on pattern and dyeing techniques of Japan, India, Africa and the US.

This workshop will take participants through an introduction to resist dyeing and indigo, with experimentation and discovery of their personal ideas- to amazing final projects of their own.

This workshop will begin with a brief discussion of the history of Shibori and Indigo, with a wide array of examples and demonstrations. We will begin experimenting with various pattern techniques such as Kumo (binding), Ori-Nui (stitching), Itajime (clamping) and Arashi (pole wrapping). We will use these techniques to create our “bundles” and then dye the cloth bundle with magical natural dye indigo. The possibilities are endless!

After lunch, we will share our morning’s work and begin working more in-depth on our own projects, which could be further exploration of the morning’s work or a personal project. Please wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for dyeing.

Students bring:

• Workshop Materials Fee: $35
• Lunch, water, snacks
• Face Mask/Covering (to be worn at all times)
• Notebook
• Comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for making a mess
• Rags and Paper Towels
• Rubber Gloves up to and beyond the elbow- if possible
• 5 gallon plastic bucket (white is preferable) with a tight-fitting lid
• Stir sticks, yard sticks, dowels approximately 6-8” above your bucket

OPTIONAL (bring if you have these items):

• String- natural fiber is best
• Painters tape
• Scissors (fabric scissors are best)
• Washed white or light natural-fiber fabric, t-/shirt, or other small item- as time permits
• Plastic bags, zip-lock bags for wet items
• Binder clips, C-clamps, small wood blocks (same sizes in 2’s, 4’s, etc)
• Sewing/embroidery needles and colored thread
• Marbles, small rocks, 4-6 wine corks
• C-Clamps, other clamps, binder clips
• Wood or acrylic shapes in even numbers (2, 4, 6, etc)

Level: Suitable for all levels

Student Age Group: Teen through adult

Class size: Minimum 4 / Maximum 8

Instructor: Suzanne Watzman