L.A. Shibori Textiles and Scarf Workshop

CREATE AND EXPLORE Craft: SHibori scarf workshop

Greetings from our Indigo dye gathering in Beverly Hills! Are you all ready to see the magic that transpired this weekend using Shibori pleating and binding techniques with indigo dye? I am excited to recap and share all of details of this past event with you. It is one class in a series of  workshops from designers here in L.A. that I'm bringing to friends, readers and the creative community.

If you have ever wanted to learn more about indigo dyeing and the art of Shibori. Today is your day, as you will catch a glimpse in to the dyeing process. First, I prepared the indigo stock, that I created using Michel Garcia's 123 Fructose Vat recipe from indigo powder that I sourced. I promise to share his recipe along with how to prepare the vat very soon, as I myself am still perfecting the art of balancing my dye vat. 

Continue reading to see the astonishing results along with find out more about how you can join an event like this too. 

You will see participants using Itajime and Kumo shibori as they arrange and tie their textiles to create extraordinary results. 

Noelle explores Itajime Shibori by folding and clamping her fabric in a triangular way. Next, she submerges her wall hanging in water to pre-soak prior to dyeing with indigo. 

Veronica binds her scarf with beads and rubber bands known as Kumo shibori, prior to soaking her textile in the indigo vat. 

It is always marvelous to watch the color change as the indigo oxidizes as it hits the air. 
After untying and rinsing out each scarf, we set-up a little drying station to watch our textiles begin to dry. Enjoyed being able to step outside and watch as the colors changed. 

Everyone started out with a sample square bandana for practice. Next, they folded and designed one larger cotton scarf in indigo. I was impressed by the quality of the white scarves that we used and would order them again. I used 2 different white cotton scarves which accepted the indigo beautifully. Lulu's cotton scarf with a beautiful grid pattern is below. The other scarves were slightly softer and felt like blend of cotton and rayon with small fringe. You can see those dyed a brighter baby blue, while others dyed a blue gray. 

Not only did the indigo hue change based on the make-up of the fiber, but it also deepened with the number of dips that we performed.

All of the attendees created such beautiful work individually and I love how they all look held up together too! I love the way that many of the scarves fade from dark to light, along with the various shades of indigo that everyone achieved. 

To top it off, I met many amazing creative women as a part of this day. A big thank you to all who attended and shared the morning with me!

If you would like to learn more about the Art of Shibori, then you can check out my previous posts on the subject here:

• Art of Shibori Basics
• Itajime, Kumo, Arashi
• Summer Shibori Workshop recap 

If you would like to learn more in person, then please reach out to book a small group event or attend an upcoming workshop.