Natural Dye and Shibori
Process and Techniques
Nui Shibori:
Nui Shibori is a stitching technique that involves stitching the cloth and drawing the ends of the threads tightly together to gather the fabric to create the desired pattern, and secure with knots.
-Pulling tight is the key element of this technique.
-For this sample, the silk fabric was folded and stitched to create a wood ring-like pattern.
-Issues faced during the process: The space between each new stitch layer was too close, making it difficult to fully tighten the sample.
-Solution: More gap between every stitch layer.
Prep Process:
-Fabric: Silk
-Dye Bath: Onion skins(6 medium), turmeric(2 thsp), vinegar(1tbsp) and water(3 cups)
-Polyester thread and sewing needle
-A wave like pattern was created on the fabric with a colored pencil after folding it and a running stitch was made along each line, leaving the end of the thread loose. Once all the lines were stitched, the loose thread was pulled tightly and knotted to secure the sample.
-The sample was then soaked in warm water for 30 mins before adding to dye bath and cooking for 1 hour and being left in bath for 6 hours and 30 mins.
Kanoko Shibori:
-Kanoko Shibori involves tying cloth in small pinches to achieve the desired pattern.
-Objects can be inserted before tying knots.
-Wooden beads, tied and knotted in silk fabric using polyester thread
-Other options to try: Different experiments to try could include using different objects like coins and marbles or to knot and twist pieces of fabric with thread for a smaller, more detailed pattern
Prep Process:
-Fabric: Silk
-Dye Bath: Purple cabbage(1/2 cup),Cherries(10), Beetroot(3), salt(1/2 tbsp), water(3 cups)
-Polyester thread
-Wrap the fabric around the beads one at a time and secure with polyester thread and a knot.
-Repeat the process again till the desired area is covered.
-The sample was then soaked in warm water for 30 mins before adding to dye bath and cooking for 1 hour and being left in bath for 6 hours and 30 mins.
Itajime Shibori:
-Itajime Shibori is a technique where you fold a piece of fabric and then clamp it between two objects.
-The area that is covered will remain un-dyed in the dyeing process.
-Issues faced: The resist object could have been clamped and fastened more tightly and it would've given a sharper result. I would not recommend using the clamps I did, sturdier ones would definitely work better.
-The sample could have also been tried on other materials such as silk for a better color result.
Prep Process:
-Fabric: Cotton
-Dye Bath: Coffee(4 tbsp) and Water(2 1/2 cups)
-Materials: Popsicle sticks and plastic clasps
-Fold the vertically folded accordion strip into a series of squares
-Then clamp on the resist object before soaking in water.
-The sample was soaked in warm water for 30 mins before adding to dye bath and cooking for 1 hour and being left in bath for 6 hours and 30 mins.
Arashi Shibori:
-Arashi Shibori is a technique of wrapping cloth around a pole, compressing it.
-Chevron technique tried into folds, and dyeing it.
Prep Process:
-Fabric: Silk
-Dye Bath: Purple cabbage(1/2 cup),Cherries(10), Beetroot(3), salt(1/2 tbsp), water(3 cups)
-Twine, rubber bands, and glass jar used
-Accordion fold the fabric and wrap around the glass jar using the twine and rubber bands. Follow that by compressing the fabric and twine together.
-The sample was then soaked in warm water for 30 mins before adding to dye bath and cooking for 1 hour and being left in bath for 6 hours and 30 mins.
Samples soaked in water and in dye bath:
