Our workshop

Workshop Shibori

Shibori is a traditional Japanese manual tie and dyeing technique, among the oldest methods for designing on fabric. It typically utilizes cotton fabric and thread for tying.

During the early Edo period, Shibori was a household activity for farmers during their off-season, primarily for homemade and personal use. Some farmers even maintained their indigo fields and dyed their Shibori works.

Conversely, ‘Kanoko-shibori,’ created from silk fabric and known for its embossed texture, gained popularity among the affluent during the middle of the Edo period.

In our workshops, we teach basic Shibori techniques, including ‘Nui’ (using needles and thread), ‘ITA’ (using wooden panels for compression), and ‘MAKI’ (using string to create patterns on fabric). These fundamental techniques can be applied at home, making Shibori accessible for all.


Workshop KATA-zome

KATA is a traditional Japanese dyeing technique that utilizes stencils and rice paste made from brown rice. This method was innovated by Japanese artisans to enhance textile production efficiency and allows for more intricate and figurative designs compared to Shibori. The rice paste used is 100% organic and environmentally sustainable.

Notably, Keisuke Serizawa is one of the prominent textile designers in this field, contributing significantly to the Mingei movement in Japan.

In our workshop, we have prepared a selection of stencils, and you can choose one that interests you. You’ll have the opportunity to practice cutting your name in Japanese characters and create your own stencil. Using your stencil, you’ll apply the rice paste onto the fabric. After drying, we’ll proceed with the dyeing process.


Our workshop comprises three sections:

Theory:
In this section, we delve into the history of these techniques and provide a fundamental understanding of natural dyeing, with a special focus on indigo.

Application of Techniques:
Here, participants get hands-on experience by applying basic techniques to fabric. We guide you through these foundational methods during the workshop.

Dyeing:
For the dyeing section, we exclusively use natural indigo pigment to color the fabrics.

The duration of the workshop is as follows:

Shibori: 2.5 – 3 hours, accommodating a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 15.
KATA: 3 – 4 hours, with space for a minimum of 5 participants and a maximum of 12.”