I recently learned the Arashi Shibori technique of resist dying. I loved the resist patterns and fell in love with magical indigo dye!
Drawing concentric semi-circles on folded edge of white Kona cotton
Stitching along the pencil lines with strong thread. We used doubled hand-quilting thread.
Gathering each row of stitching as tightly as possible without breaking the thread
Checking the “flower” on the indigo. Notice the greenish color – that means it is still active!
Submerging the piece for 2-3 minutes, moving constantly. Notice the green color!
After rinsing and carefully removing the stitches. Gorgeous!
A second technique, “Wind-driven rain” Shibori. The cotton is sewn into a tube that *just* fits over a pvc pipe. The fabric is scrunched tightly before submerging in the dye bath.
The fabric has just been taken off the pipe. The oxidation that turns the green to blue is still in process. The most beautiful green blues appear and disappear before your eyes. Magic!
Results of Wind-Driven Rain Shibori in indigo
Flag-folded and dyed in indigo
Arashi Shibori, multiple folds and circles
Carolyn Zinn 