Shibori is the Japanese word for numerous ways of shaping cloth (with a pattern by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, etc.) and securing it before dyeing.
I used methods such as:
- Kanoko shibori : This is loosely known as tie-dye in Western countries. It involves binding certain sections of the cloth to achieve the desired pattern using thread.
- Nui shibori : Stitched shibori is where a simple running stitch is used on the cloth then pulled tight (really, really tight) to gather the cloth. It's pretty time-consuming.
- Arashi shibori : "Arashi" is the Japanese word for storm. This is also known as pole-wrapping shibori. The cloth is wrapped around a pole and tightly bound by thread, and finally it is scrunched up.
- Itajime shibori : Here, the cloth is sandwiched between two pieces of wood, which are held in place with a G-clamp. The shapes prevent the dye from penetrating the fabric they cover.
In most of my pieces I have combined all four methods onto one cloth. The textiles I used were cotton and silk.
FINAL PIECE
With two metres of Silk cloth, I have used a combination of Itajime and Arashi methods of shibori.
I made a wrap-around skirt for my final piece.
