Let’s Explore – Preparing Fabrics for Shibori Dyeing

Japanese shibori dyeing techniques can be used to create an endless variety of repeat patterns on cloth. Fabrics to be dyed may be stitched, and the stitches pulled up tight to create areas that are inaccessible to the dye, resulting in beautiful organic patterns. Alternatively, geometric patterns can be created by folding and clamping fabrics.

Gay will demonstrate some methods of stitching, folding and clamping that you can use to prepare fabric for dyeing. As stitching for shibori can be time-consuming, we won’t dye fabrics on the day, but your completed prepared fabrics can be brought along for a Procion dyeing session in December to be led by Chris.

As usual, social stitching of any project you like is also welcome on the day.

Please note: our Explore Day is a week later than usual due to the Tasmanian Craft Fair in Deloraine on the first Sunday of November.

Inspiration

What to bring

• Small to scarf-sized pieces of soft, fine, closely-woven cotton fabric (e.g. light-coloured or white
  cotton lawn, thin cotton sheeting, thin calico)
• For stitched shibori:
  Strong thread, such as quilting or perle thread, needles and scissors
  Erasable fabric marker
  Ruler, pair of compasses for drawing circles
• For folding and binding:
  Bulldog clips, rubber bands, string, G-clamps
  Flat objects to clamp onto folded fabric such as rulers, square/circular/triangular blocks (some
  wooden blocks and tiles will be provided)
• your lunch (or cash to purchase lunch nearby)
• Note: your membership provides tea, green tea, instant coffee, milk and mugs

How to find Kingborough Women’s Club Rooms

Upcoming Explore Days

• December  6 – Procion dyeing of prepared shibori samples

Suggestions for 2027

Would you like to share your ideas or techniques on a specific theme? We welcome members’ suggestions enabling us to expand our horizons and enjoy exploring ideas together. The day doesn’t have to be formal (it’s not a workshop!) but you may have ideas, passions or skills that you would like to share and explore with others.

Please make suggestions at one of our Let’s Explore Sundays or email us.

How to join KWC and attend our regular Explore Days

• Any financial member of the Kingborough Women’s Club (KWC) ($40 per annum) is welcome to join our monthly Let’s Explore Sundays at no extra cost.

• If you aren’t already a KWC member you can apply here then scan or photograph your form and email it to [email protected] with “KWC Application” in the header.
  Alternatively, you could bring the form with you on a Let’s Explore Sunday.

• Once we reply to your email, then please make payment directly to KWC.
  The annual fee is $40 and is due 1 July each year.