Shippo

Shippo is a traditional pattern from the Nara period and an example is held in Emperor Shomu’s belongings. When used on non felt cloth the pattern becomes a series of linked circles but with the thickness of felt they turn out as squares. It differs from other Nui techniques as the fabric is folded together […]

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Komasu – Hanawa

Komasu means squares and is achieved by combining stitching and binding. It originates from Hanawa which was a reknown dyeing area in northern Honshu as madder (akane) and purple root grew abundantly. Materials Used & Preparation Pressure Points Fulled nuno felt paj and fine white merino wool Disappearing marker Thread Chenille needle Ruler Iron Thread […]

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Ori Nui

Simple running stitch to create beautiful texture and patterns.

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Karamatsu – Japanese Larch

Karamatsu is running stitches that follow a wave like pattern on a folded edge. The resulting pattern resembles the radiating branches of the Japanese Larch commonly seen in the Chubu & Kanto regions. The pattern was synonymous with Nagoya area. Materials Used & Preparation Pressure Points Fulled nuno felt tissue and fine white merino wool […]

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Mokume – Woodgrain

Mokume translates to wood grain in English and has been a recognised pattern in both cloth and metal for centuries in Japan. It is one of the easier of the stitching techniques as the more random the running stitch the more natural the woodgrain pattern becomes. At first glance it looks like it will be […]

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Kumo

Examples of Kumo designs dated back to the twelfth century, are depicted on a fan sutra painting of a simple kimono like garment drying on a line. Commonly called Spiderweb shibori the resulting pattern is reminiscent of a spider’s web. The pattern can be used as an infill design or as a focal feature. No […]

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Kamosage Knot

The Kamosage knot uses friction to bind or secure itself and is perfect for binding stitch Shibori, and securing ends. It may seem cumbersome at first but persevere as once you get your own rhythm is becomes quite quick. Indeed trying to film someone doing the knot always puts the demonstrator off! I have seen […]

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Ne-maki

This is a great place to start as ne-maki is the oldest of the Shibori techniques. The oldest exisitng piece of Ne maki Shibori is amongst the belongings of the Emperor Shomu from the 8th Century AD. Ne maki is the most fundamental of the Shibori techniques using tightly tied string to resist the dye […]

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Nakaboshi – Cheats Ne-maki

Recommended first technique to master. Combined with the Onion Skin Bath this will set you on the Shibori and Natural Dye path

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Chikuwa – Bamboo Rings

Bamboo ring resists are a simple and quick Shibori technique and well adapted to the cheats way! Traditionally, varying diameters and lengths of bamboo rings were used to resist the dye . In this example we have used nylon washers but any material can be used as long as the material can tolerate the temperature […]

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