Name
Simple Shibori Dyeing (NEW!)
Date
Friday, November 13, 2026
Time
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Session Type:
2-Hour Class
Skill Level:
All Levels Welcome
Teacher
Lisa Solomon
Category
Dyeing
Class Details:
Shibori is a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique which produces patterns on fabric. In Japan, the earliest known example of cloth tied with a shibori technique dates from the 8th century. This class will walk you through 3 different shibori style/techniques using over the counter or easy to cook dye vats. Students will sample KUMO - twist and bind, ARASHI - pole wrap, and ITAJIME - a shape resist - techniques. This class will focus on small sized vats and fabric samples so students can get a feel for the process. By the end of the class students will be more confident to attempt different resists and expand to larger vats to create more yardage. You can also use these dyes to generate ombre coloring on fabric or even blank skeins of yarn.
Homework:
None
Supplies to Bring:

PLEASE NOTE: Anything used for dyeing should NOT be used for food after being used as a vat. Please either thrift, buy, or repurpose things from your kitchen to be used for dyeing ONLY

• small plastic bucket, baking tray, or cooking pot/bowl [glass, steel or enamel preferred] that can hold 2.5 quarts [fabric will need to be soaked before dyeing you so might want 2 of these]
• NATURAL fiber fabric, aka cotton, hemp, linen, silk, PRE-WASHED so that all oils and dirt are removed. blends of natural are fine. blends of anything with nylon or polyester may or may not work, or may partially work. please have 3 scraps of fabric ready. their weight should not exceed 3 lbs total. I will be using either scraps of plain muslin/cotton or premade natural fiber tea towels. Dharma trading has a LOT of natural fiber blanks - but please note clothing/decor items will be too heavy and could be unwieldy for this class.
• ONE of these types of dye:
* RIT all purpose: at least 1 bottle. 2 bottles if you want to mix colors or want a very intense or dark color [like black]. You can use their store locator to find purchase locations
* JAQUARD i-DYE: at least 1 packet; more if you are dyeing larger fabrics or want darker colors. Found at Dharma Trading or Dick Blick
* DHARMA FIBER REACTIVE DYE [this is what I will be demo-ing with]: I suggest one 8-oz package, as some of the lighter colors require more dye
• non-idoized salt and/or vinegar [vinegar is recommend for silks] to act as a mordant/color stabilizer
• optional: soda ash to also act as a color intensifier and fixer
• optional but recommended if you want deep dye colors: burner/stove top and stainless or enamel pot to keep your vat warm/cooking while dyeing
• hot water - if not working on a stovetop, you will need boiling water for your vat
• whisk or spoon for mixing [takeout utensils are great for this]
• liquid measuring cup
• measuring spoons - full set
• small container/pyrex mixing cup [glass preferred as you’ll be using hot water here] to mix initial slurry of dye
• for all the techniques you will different binding items [please note many of these will pick up dye colors and so can be used again for dyeing but may leach color onto other items]
* rubber bands [you will need a good pile of them far more than 3] /and/or yarn/macrame cord/rope
* something to wrap cloth around, such as wine corks, small clean stones, small glass jars, marbles, etc. [you do not need ALL of these, but some variety could be fun]
* a taller jar or PVC pipe or wooden dowel to do the pole wrap [please note that if your pole is tall you will need a flat or tall vat to dip your pole in entirety]
* other resist materials: craft/popsicle sticks, jar lids [2 matching], plastic shapes [think kids' toys like flat blocks, plastic rulers, or the like], binder clips, clothespins, scraps of wood [thinner is easier]
• gloves
• plastic bag or separate bucket/container to hold items until you can wash them if removing them from dye bath at different times [changing soak time can alter intensity of color]
• recommended: large baking tray or plastic film to keep work area clean • optional - iron and ironing board/mat if you want really clean and precise folds in your fabric

Print Description