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

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.

Over the 2 hour workshop you’ll master the following stitching skills and learn how to dye your work:

– How to make the Shibori starting and ending knots to create tight, crisp patterns

– How to cap small areas without stitch - ne make 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

Online classes last 2 hours

In the class you will prepare your pieces for dyeing and then dye them afterwards at your own convenience. I will explain how to set up the Dylon dye but there are simple instructions on the packet as well.

IMPORTANT!!

You will need to buy a Dylon hand dye and 250g table salt in order to be able to dye your work or an indigo kit for my online classes. You will also need a plastic bucket, stirrer and rubber gloves.

If you are providing your own supplies for the class you will also need:

• 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
• Scrap fabric for making caps (typically strips 3-4 inches wide and 12-14 inches long from a light weight cotton
• Small pair of sharp scissors

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.