May 17, 2015 – Shar’s Shibori Resist Cloth

Our indigo pot was strong and hearty. I brought cloth to dip into the pot and decided to put little rubber band resists all over the cloth to see what it would do. I did one, two and three rubber bands in different places. The three rubber band method turned out the best.  Shown in the photos is the cloth after one dip with rubber bands still in and one after the indigo had oxidized.  I was very happy with the results.

One long indigo dip of 20 minutes with rubber band resist.
One long indigo dip of 20 minutes with rubber band resist.
Rubber band resist, indigo dye. One long dip of 20 minutes.
Rubber band resist, indigo dye. One long dip of 20 minutes.

Frank’s May Dye Project

I decided to do 2 small pieces 18 X 11 inches.  These will be used for covering the covers of handmade books.

Piece #1 I accordion pleated the long way with 1 1/2 inch pleats, giving me an 18 inch strip 1 1/2 inch wide.  Then I pleated the the other direction in 1 1/2 inch pleats.  This gave me a cube  that I tied several times around both directions.

Piece #2 I accordion pleated the long way with 1 inch pleats, giving me an 18 inch strip 1 inch wide.  Then I tied the strip about every 2 inches.

Shibori tied cloth, ready for indigo bath.
Shibori tied cloth, ready for indigo bath.

I then dipped them in the indigo 3 times;  The 2nd and 3rd time I dipped Piece #1, I opened the folds on the corners slightly.

Piece #1
Piece #1
Piece #2 right after one indigo dip.
Piece #2 right after one indigo dip.

Our dye pot was Strong so I only left the pieces in for 1 to 2 minutes.

This after 1 dip of 1 minute
This after 1 dip of 1 minute

Here are the pieces wet.

Piece #1 wet
Piece #1 wet
Piece #1 rinsed and dry
Piece #1 rinsed and dry
Piece #2 wet
Piece #2 wet
Piece #2 rinsed and dry
Piece #2 rinsed and dry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very little dye rinsed out and there is no crocking. As you can see the darkest blues are almost as strong dry as they were wet!