Shibori — this is how Japanese pronounce this word! Jap. 絞り染め, dyeing by binding is one of the world's oldest fabric dyeing technology. The earliest specimens of fabrics, painted this way, existing in Japan, belong to the 8th century!

Until the 20th century Japan used silk and cotton as fabrics, and the main dye was Indigo, madder (pink) and beetroot (purple).

There is an unlimited number of ways to knit, stitch, fold, twist or squeeze fabric for shibori, and each leads to different patterns. However, for Japanese, in addition to harmony, they value harmony with fabric. Therefore, the technique used in shibori depends not only on the desired pattern, but also on the characteristics of the dyed fabric.

Perhaps this is the secret of the incredible popularity among collectors of old fabrics, painted according to different techniques, including shibori.

Kanoko shibori

Kanoko shibori is the simplest and most widely known technique, "tie-dye". Certain areas of fabric are tied into knots. Traditional Japanese technique uses threads to bind. The resulting pattern depends on how tightly the fabric is tied and where the fabric is tied. If randomly selected areas are linked, the result is a set of random circles. If the fabric is first folded and then tied, the resulting circles form patterns and ornaments.

A Kanoko shibori pattern can be surprisingly small — like a set of beads.

Miura shibori

Miura shibori is a loop technique. Using a thin hook made of fabric, they pull a thread (loop), which is twice wrapped around the selected portion of fabric. The thread is not knotted; pull-up is the only thing that keeps sections in place. The resulting dyed fabric has a slightly fuzzy, blurred edge.

Kumo shibori

Kumo shibori uses pleating technique. Fabric fragments develop and pleat precisely and evenly. The fabric is then intertwined into tight sections. The result is an elegant ornament. This technique requires precision and accuracy.

Nui shibori

Nui shibori is a stitching technique. The fabric is quilted and then tightened. Wooden dowels are often used for tight thread tension. Each thread is secured by a knot before dyeing. This technique allows you to control the pattern and it gives a greater variety of them, but it requires a lot of time.

Arashi shibori

Arashi shibori is wind and rain. "Arashi" is Japanese for storm. Arashi pattern is always diagonal. Dyeing fabric is wrapped diagonally around the pole. Then the fabric is very tightly tied with a thread up and down the pole and twisted. The result is a pleated fabric with a diagonal pattern.

Itajime shibori

Itajime shibori is a shape-resist technique. The fabric is laid between 2 pieces of wood, which are fastened with a cord. More modern textile artists can use acrylic or plexiglass forms. The fixed part is protected from the dye and remains unpainted.