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. ;) 

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

Simply Irresistible Dye Techniques at NSCCD

I will be teaching a number of textile workshops at the NSCCD (Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design) during the winter semester 2017. 

The first workshop I will be teaching is Simply Irresistible Dye Techniques. During the course we explore a variety of resist dye techniques. Methods include the Japanese art of shibori (stitching, wrapping and knotting fabric) using indigo. 

Shibori with indigo

We also create a book of samples (cotton, silk and wool) experimenting with natural dyes such as madder (beautiful turkish reds), cochineal (red from a beetle), log wood (purple), yellow from turmeric and weld. We over dye the fabrics to achieve further colours (greens, browns, orange) and also add different mordants to achieve different colours (beautiful greys).

Different colours of madder in the dye pot
(cotton, silk and wool)

We also play with alternative dye methods such as rust to create fascinating patterns.

Fascinating patterns dying with iron (rust)

And we create three dimensional fabrics using thermoplastic techniques which utilise heat to alter the fabric, and melt-off which removes metal from metal fabric coated materials. 

Sea Rhapsody
Three dimensional fabrics using melt-off and thermoplastic
techniques

Other resist techniques explored in the class include painting directly onto the fabric to create hand drawn designs. 

Hand drawn resist onto cotton dyed with indigo.

This class is simply irresistible with all techniques that are demonstrated and lots of fun. The great thing about the course is that all these techniques can be easily done at home and along with learning new techniques and you can also put your new knowledge towards creating a final project within the class.

Apron made with shibori indigo techniques

Registration closes January 16. 

Call Alexis, the NSCCD 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, the NSCCD Administrative Coordinator at 902-492-2522.

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)

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.

Shibori

Shibori is a Japanese resist dying technique, which produces patterns on fabric. Resists are created by binding , stitching,  folding , twisting , or compressing the cloth.

Kimono made using different shibori techniques

There are an infinite number of ways one can bind, stitch, fold, twist, or compress cloth for shibori, and each way results in very different patterns. Each method is used to achieve a certain result, but each method is also used to work in harmony with the type of cloth used. Therefore, the technique used in shibori depends not only on the desired pattern, but the characteristics of the cloth being dyed. Also, different techniques can be used in conjunction with one another to achieve even more elaborate results. 

I have been enamoured by this ancient art for many years, and held a solo exhibition inspired by an exchange trip to Japan, Fish Bells and Teapots in 2001 of kimono's created using these techniques. 

I am now teaching these techniques as part of the Irresistible Dye Class at NSCCD - and we are having a wonderful time. The results are documented on the Class Facebook page. 

Irresistible Dye Techniques - Flour Paste Resist

It was the last of the six week Irresistible Dying Class at NSCCD on Tuesday and we saw a number of ideas and experiments through to completion. 

We had fun experimenting with cochineal dye (natural red dye that comes from a beetle) and the different colours it will create depending on the different mordants used to fix the dye. Alum created a scarlet pink/red, where as vinegar created a plum purple. 

Shiori resist using cochineal dye and discharge techniques

We dyed using different shibori resist techniques, and then combined these with the application of discharge dying (which is the removal of colour) using bleach.

silk resist dyed using cochineal and indigo natural dyes

Sophie explored stencilling a flour paste resist onto cotton. After it had dried she then brushed screen printing ink over the resist.

And making the flour resist was very easy, and much quicker than the Japanese rice paste method.

Flour Paste Resist

Ingredients

150g plain cooking flour

200ml (¾ cup) cold water

150ml (2/3 cup) liquid gum arabic

Method

Mix the cold water and flour in a mixing pot, stirring well. Heat the mixture on the stovetop, stirring continuously until a thick paste is formed.

Allow to cool slightly, then sire in the liquid gum arabic.

Strain any lumps through a sieve (very important if you want to pipe the design onto the fabric. not so important if you are painting or stencilling the design)

Sophie with her flour resist design

A detail of the flour resist

Using a similar resist method, this time gel glue on cotton, the class created an interesting resist which when dried was dipped into shibori. 

gel glue resist with indigo

We also had fun experimenting dying with rust, which is so beautiful in colour, and so easy to do. 

Dying with rust.

I have put together a pinterest board of ideas and techniques here if you would like further inspiration and ideas.

Shibori Heart Tshirt

I couldn't help but notice the current trend for all things shibori or dip dyed that are popping up everywhere. Inspired by a recent post by Poppytalk (its a great blog to follow too) I decided to give it a go.

Ive been wanting to revamp my studio wardrobe and decided to have some fun with this white tshirt.

After drawing the heart on the tshirt with a pencil, I stitched the outline with double thread.

Pulling the thread tight, I wrapped the remaining string around the material that was in the middle of the heart. This gives the lines in the centre of the heart.

Heart running stitched 

And this is how it turned out using a hot dye ...

To achieve the pattern on the sleeves, I rolled them up, and then wrapped stitched the rolls to secure them in place.

I got so carried away I forgot to take photos of the process, but if you would like to make a similar design here are some links that show some of the steps:

Shibori stitched hearts

Shibori resist stitch technique 

Bombaki shibori (wrapped around a bottle)