Who doesn't love the indigo fabric? The Japanese classic blue and white is a firm favourite with sewists and quilters alike.
Shibori Indigo Dyeing At Morikami
Back in October 2018, I did my first Shibori dying in a workshop at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens here in Delray Beach/Boca Raton, where I now live in South East Florida.
These workshops are tri-annual events run by the knowledgeable Shibori teacher, Suzanne Connors of Aya Fiber Studio. This photo is of Suzanne showing us how to mix the indigo dye vat.
Here are photos from my first workshop.
These pieces are soaking in water prior to dyeing.
The indigo dye turns the fabric green. Within a minute or two of the dyed fabric being exposed to the air, oxidisation turns the green fabric to indigo blue.
My first year's fabrics had five or six, three-minute dye dips.
How fabulous do all these student pieces look as they hang to dry in the Morikami Gardens? They always grab the attention of visitors to the gardens, who are keen to know more about the process.
Last weekend I attended my second workshop with Suzanne. Having. last year, purchased this book that Suzanne recommended,
I knew that I wanted to prep some sewn samples before attending, as this process is too time-consuming to do within the 6-hour workshop.
Above are photos of the four sewn samples I made before class using PFD (prepared for dyeing) cotton purchased at Boca's Quilting Store - Stitchcraft.
In class, I made up another four pieces using the four napkins provided by Suzanne, and here are this year's eight finished pieces.
This year, multiple short dye-dips (at least ten at approx 1 minute), continuing until the fabric was saturated and was no longer changing colour, allowed me to achieve an incredibly dark indigo blue on the main dye-exposed fabric areas.
I enjoy the yearly napkin workshop as I will be able to incorporate the napkins into a future quilt. If you attend Suzanne's other two annual workshops at Morikami, you'll dye either aprons or scarves.
Check out Suzanne's classes, workshops and open studio dates at her studio in Stuart, Florida.
and here are details for Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, an unexpected wonder that is a delightful destination on a South Florida holiday.
Looking for a good read?
Why not try The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd?
"Based on historical documents, including Eliza's letters, this is a
historical fiction account of how a teenage girl produced indigo dye,
which became one of the largest exports out of South Carolina, an export
that laid the foundation for the incredible wealth of several Southern
families who still live on today. Although largely overlooked by
historians, the accomplishments of Eliza Lucas influenced the course of
US history. When she passed away in 1793, President George Washington
served as a pallbearer at her funeral."
Have you tried Shibori?
Share your experiences along with book, supplier and class recommendations in the comments.
Materials + Tools
My fave sewing and quilting tools, notions and books, along with some of the fabrics I've used in this tute and more are detailed here on my Amazon Influencer Page.
Note: I'm an Amazon affiliate and will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, on any purchase made by following an Amazon link.
Shibori Indigo Dyeing At Morikami
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