March 20, 2011

Itajimi Shibori

Apart from experimenting with eco-dyeing (natural dye), I'm also taking Shibori online workshop with Glennis Dolce from Shibori Girl. If you have been reading my blog you would have guessed that I'm interested in dyeing. Yes I have been dyeing for more than 10 years now. My first experience with dyeing was natural dye using Eucalyptus leaves and dyeing spun yarn that I spun myself. Then I went on to dye quilting fabric using Procion dye. Recently I got back to dyeing with natural (eco-dye) again following India Flint's book Eco Colour. This time I'm experimenting with other plants and flowers and dyeing using vintage kimono silks. 

My interest in Japanese art and textiles has led me to Shibori dyeing. In this workshop Glennis shows us all the Shibori techniques using videos and PDF. 


The first lesson is on Protect (Itajimi Shibori). The technique uses shapes and objects to block the areas of the fabric from the dye. I am interested in reusing, recycling and re-purposing material so I have been using shapes from bathroom mosaics tiles, buttons, coins and cut up CD-ROM as shapes. Some of the fabrics were rejected pieces that I had natural dyed previously and wasn't happy with them. 


The above piece was folded and blocked with pieces of mosaic tiles on either sides and secured with clamps. I dyed it using Procion dye in fuchsia and torquoise. The fabric was silk kimono lining.  







These few pieces were dyed using various shapes and colours. You can still see the trace of imprints from the natural dyeing I did previously. It does give interesting prints on the piece. 


These are fragile pieces of silk that I added at the end of the process to soak up the leftover dye. 


These are premixed dyes stored in sauce bottles and kept in the refrigerator ready to be used.  My friend Jacky who is also taking the same workshop joined me last weekend to dye this batch together. We really had a fun day. 


Some pieces in the dye bath. With Procion dyes I have to leave them at least 5-6 hours. For a better results it should be left overnight. 

My trip to Japan is still on as planned and this is what our experienced organiser had to say: "It's my belief that (assuming that we go as planned in safety and that transportation is secured) our travel time there will be doubly rewarded. Japan will want and need people to resume visiting. And as we always do, we will approach our trip doing our utmost to spread goodwill, friendship, and knowledge through our study and exchange with artists, crafts people and researchers along our silk road. It's an opportunity for all."

I totally agree with what she said and of course if the situation becomes unsafe or if the government issues a 'no travel' warning to Japan at the time of the trip, then the trip will be canceled. 



15 comments:

deanna7trees said...

love seeing all your supplies and the clamped pieces in the dye bath. looks like the procion gets into the nooks and crannies easier than the colorhue dyes. i'll have to try leaving the pieces in the dye longer to see if that helps it travel all the way through the cloth. thanks for sharing your experience.

Kim said...

Oh my how beautiful!
You have created one of kind fabrics .....how will you use them? All your skills bring such beauty to life.

Happy sewing

Nedra said...

Your dyed fabrics are beautiful! What do you do with the pieces once they are dyed?
I know your love of Japan. I hope the trip goes as well as possible.

Karen said...

Beautiful Nat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Valentina said...

How very very interesting, Nat! Looks like you have been having so much fun. And the results are gorgeous. I agree re: your trip and ask you to be an ambassador from all of us.
Worked a bit on a quilt for Japan today. Thinking of you, my friend!

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

my nat you can turn your hand to many things...you go girl...
and of course the japanese will want you to visit them...enjoy your trip...dzintra

Bev C said...

Hello Nat,

Oh these pieces remind me of stained glass windows. I couldn't pick my favourite, hope you get to make something special with all your samples. Fingers crossed for your trip.
Happy dyeing.
Bev.xoxo

Janet said...

What a ton of fun, the dyed pieces are amazing. Have you tried fruits? I was thinking that when I got purple fingers from eating a blueberry muffin.
I really hope your trip goes ahead.

antique quilter said...

how very interesting....I have always wanted to attempt dying as well.
Love the designs especially the last one.
can't wait to see what you make with these ...
good luck on your trip , can't wait to hear all about it.
Kathie

Suedio said...

Hi Nat. Lovely work. All the fabrics look great, but I particularly like Shibori workshop 7.

Thanks for sharing.

Jacky said...

It was a fun day Nat and I love the pieces we dyed together...looking forward to more of it on Saturday.

Enjoy your trip to Japan, I agree they need to see friendly faces keeping their economy afloat after the recent devastation from the earthquake and tsunami.

Jacky xox

Betty said...

They are so beautiful. It amazes me what you can do. I am learning so many different things from reading your blog. Thank you sharing.

Kim D. said...

Just beautiful fabrics Nat. I live vicariously through you and your dyeing experiences. It looks like so much fun. You have a wonderful trip to Japan and stay safe. When will you be going? It's so sad to see the pictures and see the disaster areas on TV. Such devastation and sad to hear about so many people missing or dead. Keeping the country in my thoughts and prayers.

ria vogelzang said...

Nat, good for you to still go threw with your trip to Japan! Please, bring our thoughts and prayers to the people you meet! There is so much disaster and griefe! I'm still following the news about the fukishima plant......
You are such an artist with those lovely dye's!!
The pictures are just stunning! Love them!
Have a good week, dear friend! Big hug!

Kitiya Palaskas said...

The results are beautiful! I love them. x

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