Boshi shibori - capping and the use of reserved grounds (Online class)

What will I learn?

In this class you will learn Boshi shibori and the use of grounds. Boshi means ‘hat’ or ‘cap’ in Japan and these techniques were used to cover areas of the fabric to keep the dye out.

Motifs are typically stitched shapes but the technique can be practised without stitching using simple binding.

Content:

– The quilters knot and the surgeons knot required for all stitched work
– How to cap small areas without stitch - ne maki boshi and kanoko boshi
– How to cap small areas with stitching and no core:
* ko-boshi - where the stitches are covered by the cap
* kawamaki - where the stitches are not covered by the cap
– How to cap medium sized motifs using a fabric or paper core
– How to extend your patterns with secondary stitching and binding
– Tako-boshi - how to use a reserved ground to enclose a pattern inside a white background
– How to make larger patterns using variations of these patterns
– How to dye with indigo and Dylon (which you can use to dye your pieces at home after the class)

Who is this class for?: Intermediate / have done some Shibori before

Duration: 2 hours

Location: This class is an Online course run using Zoom. You will need a device that can access the internet with a camera and microphone to take this class.

What do I need to provide myself?

• Pre-washed calico, cotton or linen fabric
• Needle - a thinnish long darner works well
• Strong thread - ideally bonded nylon 60s weight upholstery thread or a strong cotton thread
• Plastic for capping - this can be clingfilm or freezer bags. Cheap shop carrier bags are also good.
• Scrap fabric for making caps (typically strips 3-4 inches wide and 12-14 inches long from a light weight cotton
• Circles templates to draw around (this could just be a mug or glass)
• Small pair of sharp scissors
• A fabric marker pen
• Water sprayer
• Dye - either an indigo dye kit or a Dylon hand dye and 250g table salt
• Plastic bucket, stirrer and rubber gloves.

Chu-boshi (using a fabric core) with kumo binding extension on vintage French linen dyed with indigo

Tako-boshi shibori with Guntai leaf detail in a reserved white ground.