Second Thursday Tutorial: faux shibori dyeing

Today we're going to make faux shibori.  I enjoy making shibori, like arashi shibori, which is fabric wrapped diagonally on a pole, then tightly wrapped with thread up and down the pole.  I have several examples of arashi shibori on my blog.  

I tried nui shibori once, where you take a running stitch across the fabric, then pull the thread tight before tying it tightly, knotting, then adding the dye.  I used my sewing machine set at the longest stitch because I can't hand sew due to my inability to grip a needle.  Five or six lengths perpendicular to the long end of a fabric were all I managed.  The idea is to scrunch the fabric, then tie the knots on the ends as tight as possible before adding the dye.

I'd love to try itajime shibori next, where you place the cloth between two pieces of plexiglass or wood which is the same shape and size, then clamp the wood in place or tie the fabric tightly.

Today, though, we're making FAUX shibori.   Supplies from back left clockwise:
Length of PFD fabric (prepared for dyeing) or old bed sheet (pre-washed in color and fragrance free detergent) 
Handmade and purchased shimmering mists, colors in the same color family
Wax linen thread
Pipette or paint brushes
Rubber bands
Gloves (latex or other)

After washing and drying the fabric, it's time to iron it.

Now the fabric has been ironed, fold in half, then fold opposite folds on each side of the center.

Starting at one end, place one side toward the center.

Turn the fabric over and bring the second side up.  You now have a fan type fold.

Start a flag fold and crease in place.

Now turn over and 

bring the fold parallel to the length of the fabric.  Personally, I think you can see it better than I can describe it.

Keep folding and turning the fabric over with each fold until you reach the end of the fabric.  Mine didn't come out even.  That's the problem by not using a fat quarter or actually measuring your fabric, something I never seem to do.

Secure with rubber bands.  Use these to loosely hold the fabric in place so it doesn't fall apart.

The rubber bands give you time to get your waxed linen or other thread in place and tightly tied.

Note there will be openings on all three sides in which you can add your ink.

I had trouble spraying my inks, so I used a brush to add ink to the fabric.

I thought two of the inks were so similar in color when wet, I couldn't tell them apart when I was applying them.  Wait until your fabric is completely dry before unbundling it.

Finally, open the fabric and enjoy your new faux shibori.  I love the patterns I created. 

I can't wait to try another piece of fabric that I fold differently.

Ruminations:
1.  I should have tried to work with fabric that was square, or used a fat quarter.
2.  I was surprised at how different the colors were once they dried.
3.  I may have not made enough folds.

Regardless, if you have a bit of fabric and spray mists and want to try this to make something you will NOT WASH (these inks/mists are notorious for bleeding when wet), this is a fun project to try.

Thanks so very much for joining me today.  I am grateful for your continued support of these monthly projects. When this post goes live, you will find it on my Tutorials page under Faux Shibori.