Furoshiki: one day workshop at NSCCD

On Saturday I held my final creative workshop for the year: Furoshiki. This workshop is incredibly appropriate for this time of year as we created reusable and sustainable gift wrapping using shibori resist techniques, indigo dye and cotton fabric.

In 6 hours we covered a variety of techniques including stitched resist designs, asashi (using a tube to create a pattern) itajime (folded) and tesuji (pleated) shibori. Whilst there was a lot to learn, the output was incredible, with many beautiful fabrics created in the process.

Honeycomb shibori

We marvelled at the magic of the indigo dyeing process, watching it change colour from green, to turquoise, to indigo.

Simple things such as bamboo sticks can create delightful patterns, like the one above. 

We were far too busy trying to squeeze as much in as we possibly could that I totally forgot to take a group photo of our happy creatives. But rest assured we all left tinged with blue and bitten by the indigo bug. ;) 

PIN 7 exhibition at ANCA Gallery, Canberra

#178
Felt, cotton, stainless steel wire, purple turquoise

I am delighted to share with you that my work will be featured in PIN 7, is the seventh annual brooch exhibition at ANCA Gallery in Canberra, Australia. The pins continue to explore the theme 222 Grips for a stone, a 2 year fascination and investigation of different ways to 'grip' a stone. In this part of the series, the stones are semi-precious, and a variety of stitching methods have been used to fasten them in place.

# 174
Felt, cotton, stainless steel pin, quartz crystal

The concept of reducing scale and honing in on a wearable miniature platform appealed to artists from a broad range of practices including sculptors, printmakers, painters, ceramicists, silversmiths, machine makers, photographers, wood workers and glass artists. Following the success of the
inaugural exhibition ANCA ran ‘PIN’ exhibitions in 2012 (rePIN), 2013 (PINup), 2014 (PINHaH4), 2015 (sPIN) and 2016 (PIN SIX).

 

#175
Felt, cotton, stainless steel wire, opalite 

ANCA Gallery is running this hugely popular exhibition for the seventh time in 2017. PIN 7 will be exhibited at ANCA Gallery from Wednesday 28 June to Sunday 9 July 2017. 

#177
Felt, cotton, stainless steel wire, quartz druzy and Nova Scotian pebble

Shiori Patterns : Itajime

Itajime is the shibori process of folding fabric and then clamping it between boards or sticks. We have been exploring these techniques in my Irresistible Dyeing Class at the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design. We used indigo which is such a magical dye to work with. I love watching the magic as the fabric turns from green to blue as it oxides when it is removed from the indigo dye bath. 

The dyed fabric needs to sit for 24 hours (to allow the indigo to 'set') and hearing the 'oohs and ahhhs' as the fabrics are untied and unfolded when the process is finished is such a delight.  

Below are some of the before and after results.

Creating a resist with C clamps

C Clamp resist pattern

Jam jar top and bamboo sticks resist

Jam jar top and bamboo sticks pattern

wooden block and elastic bands resist

wooden block and elastic bands pattern

Furoshiki at NSCCD

This weekend I taught a two day workshop to make furoshiki Japanese wrapping cloths. Working with cotton and silk with indigo dye we experimented with different shibori (resist dying techniques) to create beautiful fabrics that can be used as an alternative for wrapping paper.

  

Both beautiful and functional they can be used as a lunch bag alternative, a eco-wrapping technique, and even a clothing garment. The fabulous thing about furoshiki is that the fabric can be as special as the gift inside and it can be reused many times.

Ne-maki shibori - thread resist pattern

The end result is a gift that keeps on giving.

Itajime - folded and clamp resist pattern

For more information: 

Pinterest board for shibori designs - a collection of ideas and techniques 

Facebook page - A place where workshop participants share images of their creation

Furoshiki - fabulous site on ways to fold and wrap your present using cloth 

Honeycomb shibori

This course will be offered again as part of the Spring program at the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design  over two Saturdays, May 27 and Jun 03, 2017 from 12:30 - 3:30 pm. 

REGISTRATION Details:

It is easy to sign up for a class! We need your name, contact info, and a payment.
We will take payment over the phone with visa or master card.
Pay in person with debit or cash.
**A payment must be taken to secure your spot in the class.**

Class registrations are first come first booked.

Call us! (always the best way to sign up)

Call Alexis, our Studio Coordinator, at 902-492-2524. If you're leaving a message, please make sure to - Leave your Name, Number, and the Class you want to sign up for. If you're in a hurry, you can also call Becky, our Administrative Coordinator at 902-492-2522.

Winter Craft Courses at NSCCD

I will be teaching a number of classes at the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design as part of their Winter 2017 program. 

Irresistible Dye Techniques
Image of dyed fabric by Sarah 

Simply Irresistible Dye Techniques

Mondays, January 23 – February 27 

6:30-9:30 (18 hours/6 weeks)

$185 + materials fee $50 payable to the instructor on first day of class

Class Size: 6 (no experience necessary)

Registration Closes January 16

Simply Irresistible covers a variety of resist dye techniques including the Japanese art of shibori (stitching, wrapping, and knotting), and ombré gradient methods using indigo. We will create silk wool and cotton samples using natural dyes and experiment with alternative dye methods such as rust. Thermo-treated techniques to create three dimensional works through the use of heat are demonstrated. 

Prints Charming Screen Printing
Image of screen print by Willa

Prints Charming

Saturdays, February 11 – March 4

1:00-4:00 (12 hours/4 weeks)

$125 + materials fee $50 payable to the instructor on first day of class

Class Size: 6 (no experience necessary)

Registration Closes February 6

Design and print your own fabrics! In this course we will use screenprinting, block printing and various resist methods. This course will encourage artistic exploration of ideas using basic colour theory to mix your own colours and experiment with transparent and opaque print pastes. The skills developed in this course can be applied in the studio or on the kitchen table. 

Design and Print your own tea towel
image of block print by Natasha

Design and Print Your Own Tea Towel 

Saturday & Sunday, January 28 & 29

1:00-4:00 (6 hours/2 days)

$60 + materials fee $50 payable to the instructor on first day of class

Class Size: 6 (no experience necessary)

Registration Closes January 23

NEW! In this two-day course students will explore shapes, colours, and layering using simple stencils to create their own personalized tea towels. 

Furoshiki wrapping cloth
Image of design by Kate 

Furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth)

Saturday & Sunday, April 1 & 2 

1:00-4:00 (6 hours/2 days)

$60 + materials fee $50 payable to the instructor on first day of class

Class Size: 6 (no experience necessary)

Registration Closes March 27

Students can make their own reusable and recyclable Japanese wrapping cloths, both beautiful and functional used for a lunch bag, ecowrapping technique, or clothing garment. Students will experiment with different resist dying techniques using indigo dye on silk and cotton fabric. 

Zen Stitching
Image of design by Ingeborg

Zen Stitching: Embroidery as Textile Art

Sundays, February 26 and March 5 

1:00-4:00 (6 hours/2 days)

$60 + materials fee $30 payable to the instructor on first day of class

Class Size: 6 (no experience necessary)

Registration Closes February 19

NEW!  Embroidery can be a traditional, sustainable, a simple repetitive act, allowing time for reflection and bringing a meaningful and thoughtful approach to textile practice. In this two-day course students will explore ways in which to slow down by using simple techniques, reusing and re-inventing materials and limiting equipment. Take the time to think about the practical and decorative techniques of mending.

To enrol in any of these courses, call Alexis, the Studio Coordinator, at 902-492-2524

Or register in person! Come see us at 1061 (Mary E Black Gallery) or 1096 (The Studios) Marginal Rd.

Furoshiki workshop at NSCCD

Cotton with Indigo  

This weekend I taught a two day workshop to make furoshiki Japanese wrapping cloths. Working with cotton and indigo dye we experimented with different shibori (resist dying techniques) to create beautiful fabrics that can be used as an alternative for wrapping paper.

Both beautiful and functional they can be used as a lunch bag alternative, a eco-wrapping technique, and even a clothing garment. The fabulous thing about furoshiki is that the fabric can be as special as the gift inside and it can be reused many times.

The end result is a gift that keeps on giving.

Some of the wrapped fabric drying after being dipped in Indigo

I received some great feedback about the course:

"Thank you Kate. I really enjoyed your workshop & I am hooked. I think I could easily spend a LOT of time doing shibori! It is really fun & inspiring, gets my creative juices flowing.

I am anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the rest of my designs tomorrow & will send photos." - Lynda 

For more information: 

Pinterest board for shibori designs - a collection of ideas and techniques 

Facebook page - A place where workshop participants share images of their creation

Furoshiki - fabulous site on ways to fold and wrap your present using cloth