Indigo Resist Dyeing: Fold, Clamp, Repeat

Join the Indigo Resistance! Indigo is a beautiful and complex dye with a rich and strange history. It is uniquely suited for creating patterns by cloth manipulation. In this class students will practice the basics of creating radial and linear repeating designs on cloth. Inspired by the Itajimi style Shibori of Japan, students will use folding and strategic placement of shaped clamps to create a near infinite variety of beautiful patterns.  By shifting clamps multiple shades of blue can enhance the possibilities. Information on creating and maintaining a natural indigo vat will be briefly covered. Students will dye three items.

Iris lives with her family next to the Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon. She grows traditional dye plants and has been quietly mapping the hidden colors contained within the native and invasive plants of the North Oregon Coast. She holds a BFA in fiber arts from University of Oregon and has been teaching for over 20 years.

In-Person Participants Bring:

• Note taking supplies

• Apron

• Long rubber gloves

Optional:

• 2-4 C clamps

• Five gallon bucket with tight fitting lid -( If you would like to take home one of the class vats.)

• Cloth prepared for dyeing

• Large natural indigo vats

• Rinsing tubs

• A comprehensive assortment of clamps of various sizes and shapes

• Drying racks

• Buckets