Shibori is the Japanese art of stitched and bound resist. It is a slow craft, often requiring many hours of binding, stitching and pulling up of threads, followed by multiple dyeing processes. This and the variations in tension and pressure applied in construction mean that every piece produced is unique. Learn the traditional methods of this beautiful series of techniques and how to dye your creations in indigo to achieve a range of beautiful blues.

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.

Fabrications welcomes Rob Jones to teach this class! Rob is a textile designer specialising in the ancient Japanese art of Shibori, using stitch, bound and clamped resist techniques to create intricate patterns and textures on scarves, table linens and lampshades. He selects both new and vintage textiles, sourcing beautiful old kimono silk from Japan and vintage and modern cloth from the UK for his creations, made at his studio in North London. Rob has studied at West Dean College and under Bryan Whitehead in Fujino, Japan in 2014.

Over the 3 hour workshop you’ll master the following stitching skills, learn about and use indigo 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 and 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 your pieces with indigo dye

All levels are welcome. It is a natural follow to Rob’s Beginners Shibori class taking place in the morning – a discount is offered when you book the full day!

Time: 2:30 – 5:30pm

Class Size: 6 students

Price: £100 (Full Day – Beginners Shibori & Boshi Shibori) or £55 (Boshi Shibori)

You will need: You are welcome to bring along some small textile articles to upcycle, eg napkins, hanker chiefs ( NB: fabrics must be natural fibres, cotton or linen are ideal and must have been washed and dried in advance of the workshop) But there will also be fabric available to sample with.

Please Bring: Your own rubber gloves (washing up style)

We will provide shirts to wear but please avoid wearing your favourite clothes and shoes!

HOW TO BOOK: Contact us directly on 020 7275 8043 or BOOK ONLINE

Please Note: The workshop will take place in the Fabrications studio (which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps.