Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Dyeing Techniques: Shibori


Shibori Techniques


This was one weekend I was grateful for poor weather. Having an excuse to not go out meant I could play for hours on end, and so I did. I've been planning to try out some dyeing techniques from a new book, Shibori by Janice Gunner, and this was perfect timing.


This was really my first introduction to manipulating fabric before dying. I was the one kid in the 70's that never did tie dye at summer camp. I have had some experience now with the Procion MX dyes, and that has been a great help. I really had no plan going into the studio except to try several variations.


Here I started with a simple accordion folding tecnique, and a cylindrical jar. I was surprised at the amount of undyed areas.


This one was my first attempt at stitching. Tiny buttons were placed on the fabric, and I sewed them in. It's certainly not a beauty, but I was still excited to see the outcome.


This idea required a trip to the home center for a piece of 4" PVC pipe. I sewed a sleeve in the length of fabric, scrunched it down tightly, and used a dye. A fairly large amount of dye was required to accommodate the pipe width and height, and I found myself becoming very creative to work it all out. Also, in my excitement I didn't take the time to cut down my 5' piece of pipe, and it was an interesting scene while I was rinsing it at the sink!


I saw this threesome together, and all I could think of was, "What can I do next?"



I took home pieces of fabric I had already marked off for folding and stitching. While we spent the evening watching t.v., I stitched. When all the threads were pulled tight, it was barely recognizable.


Early Sunday, I started mixing dyes. When the fabrics had processed and I pulled them out, I was reminded of some ruffled exotic animal coming out of the sea. The anticipation at this point was killing me.


Carefully I snipped stitches, and pulled out the wet threads. Such a variety appeared using all the same pattern and technique.


This piece shrunk down to 1/3 its size with all the gathers. You can easily see the gridded pattern here.


You'd think it was Christmas morning each time I opened one of these. I was giggly, and oooing and ahhing--shamefully giddy! This, my friends, might be addictive.


Dried and pressed, this beautiful, rectangular grid appeared. I have always loved the beauty of commercially made fabric, but the organic nature of Shibori is like looking at water. The resist creates movement, and I never seem to grow tired of looking at it.

I hope you enjoyed the eye candy today.
Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.


7 comments:

kathyinozarks said...

Good morning, great post I love all of your results-even the buttons-I have yet to try this but is definately on my to do list--would you recommend the book?
Kathy

Christine Slaughter said...

The results from this dye process are really fantastic! I love the grid one, and the purple one looks amazing! Beautiful!!

Sharon - IN said...

So pretty. Your experimenting is really paying off for some eye catching fabrics! I think the top blue is my favorite.

Stitchin At Home said...

Loved the eye candy! You are already addicted my friend.

sonja said...

love your results! once in a class of painting students i had them wrap a pencil with fabric and we painted the cloth instead. also a chop stick had interesting textural results. hard part is always waiting for the moisture to dry before the unveiling. Oh, all the ladies where from Yokohama ,Japan!!!

Kate said...

Beautiful results. I'd have a hard time cutting into any of those pieces.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your dying looks so neat! Can't wait to see what you make with them!