UNDER wraps
A form of tie-dyeing (remember tie-dyed T-shirts?), shibori uses simple techniques of folding, wrapping and binding to create unique patterns on dyed fabric. Although indigo dye is the traditional colour choice, why not try a modern twist and use hot pink instead to make stylish table linen or cushions? But be warned–it’s very addictive!
“Indigo is the traditional dye colour for shibori, but why not try pink instead?”
THE SHIBORI STORY
• The word shibori comes• Shibori was originally an art form of the poor. In feudal Japan they weren’t permitted to wear silk, so they dyed plain hemp to make it look better.• The earliest known example of shibori cloth dates from the 8th century in Japan.• Different methods of preparing fabric–folding, stitching, binding, wrapping around a pole or compressing it between pieces of wood–all produce distinctive patterns.• Modern fabric designers have ‘borrowed’ shibori designs and reproduced them digitally for the mass market.
