Shibori is a Japanese manual dyeing technique initially developed with indigo natural colour ( plant- indigofera) that involves folding, twisting, or bunching cloth and binding it. Biinding create resist area where dye cannot reach, resulting in unique patterns. This ancient technique of dying every piece is a masterpiece of uncontrolled chaos.
Here are some shibori techniques:
Kanoko(Tie die) -fabric is bound with small sections creating circular or dotted pattern
Miura (Loop-binding) -threads are looped around section of fabric without knotting ,creating water like ,flowing patterns.
Kumo (Pleat and blind) -this fabric is pleated and bound tightly resulting a spider like or radiating patterns. Can be used to make really intricate patterns.
Arashi (Pole wrapping) -Fabric is wrapped around a pole. the result is diagonal,storm like patterns resemble rain and water flowing.
Itajime (Shape resist) - Fabric is folded and sandwiched btw two pieces of wood or other shapes and clamped before dying. This technique creates geometric patterns.
Nui (Stitched Shibori) - Patterns are stitched into the fabric before dying and the threads are pulled tight to gather the fabric. This method allows controlled detailed patterns.
The resulting patterns are often emblematic of Japan’s appreciation of the beauty of imperfection – Wabi Sabi .
Techniques that are similar o Shibori that are also made with natural dyes can also be found in India. I will write about it in the next post...
if you want to explore more about indigo and its origins cick here to read about
The Art of natural indigo blue textile dyeing.