Fun with Shibori

[Abe Akirakeiko]

So I did this a few weeks ago:



Here's a closeup:



This is half of a pre-washed, pre-finished lightweight silk satin scarf from Dharma Trading, tied with nylon thread (vaguely) in the "seven luminaries" pattern (which dates back to at least the Nara period). I was originally going to do the whole scarf but since this was only meant to be a small test sample, I got sick of tying it halfway through and chopped it in half.

It was dyed with powdered turmeric, with no mordant, and I'm really pleased with the intensity of the color. Turmeric (ukon) is a very period Japanese dyestuff; the only problem is it's not very lightfast at all. I think that it would be okay for clothing if very carefully handled.

My goal with all of this is eventually to tie/dye enough fabric to produce a Nara period women's upper garment, made according to the patterns from Jidai Isshou. So, I ran down to the Jim Thompson Silk Outlet and picked up 3.5 meters of Thai silk, and then marked out the tying locations according to a more regular arrangement:





...And I have come to the conclusion that I am FREAKING INSANE.

I shudder to think how long it is going to take for me to tie all of this. But the end is worth it, it's worth it, it's worth it...

[JanxAngel]

That's awesome! Can't wait to see how it all turns out. You're doing a very ambitious project and I for one applaud you on it.

[Abe Akirakeiko]

Thanks! Yeah, I've gotten inspired by the huge amount of silk here to do some early-period outfits-- not many people are doing Kofun/Asuka/Nara and there is so much cool stuff to be had.

If anyone's interested, I'll take pictures of how I'm actually tying the fabric: I've got a small shibori kit from Maiwa. It's a short metal "arm" that clamps on to the edge of a table, and has a very tiny little pin on the end to hold the fabric: you wrap the thread around the arm and then pull it down onto the fabric itself. The design makes it so that all of the "dots" come out very even in size-- it's a great tool.

[bovil]

Apr 4, 2009 10:23:06 GMT -5 Abe Akirakeiko said:

It was dyed with powdered turmeric, with no mordant, and I'm really pleased with the intensity of the color. Turmeric (ukon) is a very period Japanese dyestuff; the only problem is it's not very lightfast at all. I think that it would be okay for clothing if very carefully handled.

If you want more information/support, a friend of mine runs Griffin Dyeworks; she's a great source of information and supplies for historical dye techniques. I just helped her set up the Griffin Dyeworks page on Facebook.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Damn you! You BEAT ME TO IT!!!! (Dies of envy and turns into a hannya out of sheer pique.)

I love the Seven Luminaries pattern. There's an example in red in the Jodai Gire.

Once I get the April bills squared, I MUST look into the gizmo from Maiwa. I really need proper tools to pursue shibori.

[takadainotora]

Apr 5, 2009 17:25:39 GMT -5 Saionji Shonagon said:

Once I get the April bills squared, I MUST look into the gizmo from Maiwa. I really need proper tools to pursue shibori.

The Maiwa gizmo is very reasonably priced--I've talked to a couple of woodworkers about making me a fabric/thread holding widget and this looks like a better way to go.

For anyone else contemplating dying with turmeric, get it at an Indian grocery store; it comes in pound bags.

[kurokamakiri]

Apr 5, 2009 17:25:39 GMT -5 Saionji Shonagon said:

(turns into a hannya out of sheer pique.)

*laughs*

Abe-hime, that looks fantastic!