Shibori

Shibori workshops are great for corporate events and parties. There is a brief instruction / demonstration portion at the beginning followed by 1-2 hours of dyeing. Some groups finish in an hour and a half, others want to stay for 3. The workshop time is guided by the participants and I am on hand to facilitate for up to 2.5 hours. Participants typically complete between 2 and 4 pieces during this time. Shibori is a real crowd pleaser and indigo offers instant results with no lag time. It’s perfect for all levels of creative confidence.

Options for add-ons abound. See below for details.

The cost of the workshop is $65 per person. There is a $185 that covers 8 participants. There are no additional travel fees for locations within a 30 mile radius of the farm in Lexington, NY. Additional fees for travel outside of this radius may be added.

Cost includes:

• The Indigo Vat

• All ties, binders, clamps, string, etc to shape the fabric.

• 2 blank cotton dyeables like bandanas, totes, napkins, to choose from.

Larger groups should add an additional materials fee for every 8 participants to cover additional vats so that participants aren’t waiting and can work with ease.

Site Requirements:

• A water supply. A hose works fine. This is a messy workshop that is usually done outdoors June-September. Indoor workshops are possible and I would recommend one like the rice paste resist that benefits from an indoor setting.

• Machine washing & drying of dyed fabrics. They will not hurt your machine. We will do a basic rinse and dry of the dyed pieces during and following the workshop. Typically the hotel where the workshop takes place follows this pre-rinse with a more thorough job by putting the items through their laundry and delivering them to guests later that day.

In 2011 I traveled to Japan to learn traditional shibori using natural indigo. I fell in love with it and had blue hands for days. The following year I went to India to learn mud printing using blocks and indigo. Then, in my studio in Brooklyn, I began growing indigo plants and researching the fermentation process used to convert leaves into usable dye. I soon realized that I enjoyed working with fabric more than laboring over the long process of growing and fermending my own indigo and have been focusing on the dyeing rather than growing end of indigo ever since. That said, I enjoy foraging plant matter and mushrooms from my property for dyeing when the opportunity arises.

Sharing this magical process with others is a joy.

Rice paste resists and stencil making adds a whole other level of design options to the menu! To do add this, participants would need to be able to set aside at least 2.5 hours.