Projects: Indigo Shibori Dye

Project by: Elizabeth Dalton

Overview

This page is to document some of the Indigo Dye Workshop information for reference for attendees and others interested in the process.

Event Name

Indigo Dye Workshop (Special Topics Monthly!)

Event Description

Indigo has been used to dye fabrics for at least 6000 years in civilizations all over the world. Indigo is derived from several species of plants and is non-toxic, colorfast, and sustainable. A single vat of indigo dye can be maintained for years and reused, simply adding new indigo and reducing agents as needed. Port City Maker Space maintains a shared indigo dye vat for use by members as well as other related equipment.

Please plan to attend at least one workshop before using the PCMS indigo dye vat.

We offer a workshop approximately once per month (usually on the first Sunday at 2pm) to provide an orientation to new dyers and to explore topics in indigo dying. Attendees learn how to check the dye vat, adjust ingredients as needed, and the basics of dyeing with indigo.

Each workshop also includes a session exploring a new topic. Topics are chosen based on input the previous month by workshop attendees and our Slack community. Previous topics have included Shibori-style pleating and binding and constructing dyed silk face masks. Future topics may include wax-resist (batik), yarn dyeing, designing quilting coordinates, reverse dyeing with color remover, over-dyeing with other dye types, and other topics suggested by participants. The cost of the workshop covers dye ingredients and materials for simple projects covered in the monthly topic and purchase of equipment for the Soft Craft space, with a nominal fee for the instructor's time. Workshop participants are also welcome to bring their own dyeing projects (one or two natural-fiber garments or equivalent weight).

Class Dates and Topics

• 9/4/2021 Intro to Indigo Shibori Fabric Dyeing
• 10/03/2021 Silk face mask (includes research, sewing and fitting)
• 11/14/2021 Wax resist (Batik) with Indigo Dye
• December TBD

Photo Album

A full photo album from the 9/4/2021 session can be found here:

Makerspace Dyeing Class

Tutorials

Tutorials by the instructor:

Face Mask Tutorial

Helpful Resources

Here are a few resources recommended by the instructor:

• https://honestlywtf.com/diy/shibori-diy/
• https://shibori.org/traditions/techniques/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibori
• https://japanobjects.com/features/shibori
• https://www.dharmatrading.com/information/shibori-diy.html
• https://crafts.tutsplus.com/tutorials/shibori-for-beginners-ne-maki-technique--cms-20686