The Shibori technique / By Fran Holzapfel
"Shibori is a Japanese fabric dyeing technique that dates back to the 8th century AD. Shibori means "block dyeing.""
Today it is still done, in a wide variety of colors generating different patterns, but the traditional color is indigo blue. The differences in the wefts are in the ways of twisting, tying, folding and compressing the fabric. The word shibori is Japanese and means block dyeing. The idea is to block different areas to prevent the dye from penetrating.
The folded, wrinkled or sewn fabric gains volume through the technique of tying or knotting with the intention of reserving certain parts of it before subjecting it to the dyeing process. When the fabric is already dyed, these parts are stamped with their characteristic designs of soft contours and wrinkled texture.
"One of the most attractive features of this technique is that it involves a certain degree of unpredictability, achieving within the line of certain desired effects, always different and frequently very impressive results."
This special magic that encloses its practice, has added many followers in the rest of the world. However, most of the techniques used come from traditional Japanese arts. For centuries, these have been enriched by the contribution of their artisans, who have tested them, developing countless ways of doing them, to achieve specific designs.