Shibori, By Gum with Liz Axford

Liz Axford
lizaxford@gmail.com

Workshop
May 18 – 20, 2012

Shibori, By Gum

A traditional Japanese technique, Shibori is defined as three-dimensional shaped resist. When dyed, a distinctive pattern, a signature of the type of shaping, is revealed. Organza and gazar, silks whose natural silk gum has not been removed in the processing and finishing, offer a unique opportunity to selectively scour the silk gum while shaped and bound by shibori. When dyed, the areas where silk gum remains will dye differently, revealing the distinctive shibori patterning; furthermore, if left un-pressed, the shaping used for the resist will remain indefinitely.

The class will center on the scouring process and the use of Procion MX dyes to subsequently color the fabric. If time and facilities permit, we will also explore discharging black and other colored organza, with or without overdyeing. The techniques I use are very easy and even novices will be comfortable with the dyeing process by the second day.

Over the course of the class, each student can expect to scour and dye 3-10 yards of fabric with one or more layers of patterning. The materials fee will cover the cost of shared dyes and chemistry, and (some) resist materials; students provide their own fabric.

Workshop fee: $300
Materials fee: $10 per student
Class size: 15 students

Student Supply List:

• Fabric – 5-10 yards silk organza and/or silk gazar (a heavier weight organza)
• Pre-made organza scarves (available from RGS and/or Thai or Exotic Silks) are ideal for experimenting. You may want to include 1 or 2 yards of previously dyed organza (either commercially dyed or hand-dyed).
• Basic sewing supplies – needles (#9 sharps and betweens), cotton #50 sewing thread, pins, fabric scissors, thimble, seam ripper – anything you routinely use that I’ve not listed
• Sharpie “fine point” marker or some other preferred means of identifying your fabric in a group dye pot
• (1 or 2) 3-5 gallon plastic buckets and/or dishwashing pans
• 3-5 plastic bags (recycled grocery store bags are good)
• Gloves – heavy duty rubber or nitrile (ProChem)
• Utility scissors
• Resist supplies (as many of these as you can manage)
• Nylon or polyester upholstery thread & #9 or #10 milliners needles (John James, available from Clotilde.com is my preferred brand – in a pinch a #9 or #10 sharp will suffice)
• String (nylon, jute, cotton all ok) – any thickness is ok
• Pairs of ¾” wood shapes – circles, squares, triangles, dogs and cats – whatever grabs you – Michael’s has a good selection of inexpensive wood shapes
• Nylon (marine) rope: ½” – 2” diameter, 4-5 foot lengths
• (1 or more) PVC pipes – 4”-6” diameter x 30”-36” long is ideal
• (8’-10’ lengths can be cut with a power saw, oftentimes at the building materials store)
• Note-taking materials

Sources:
Dharma Trading
(800) 542-5227
www.dharmatrading.com

Rupert, Gibbon and Spider/Jacquard Products
(800) 442-0455
www.silkconnection.com

Pro Chemical and Dye, Inc.
(508) 676-3838
(800) 228-9393
www.prochemical.com

Thai Silks
(800) 722-7455
www.thaisilks.com

Biography

Liz Axford is an artist whose work includes an increasing variety of fiber techniques: quiltmaking, surface design, handmade felt and embroidery. A former architect, she teaches quiltmaking design and fabric dyeing nationally. Her work has been included in many juried shows including Quilt National, Crafts National, Fiberarts International, CraftHouston and Materials: Hard and Soft. She was the 1998 recipient of the Quiltvisions Quilt Japan Prize, and in 2005 received an Individual Artists Fellowship Grant from the Cultural Arts Center of Houston. In 2012, she will relocate from Houston, TX to Clinton, WA.

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