Carolyn Cabena, Detail, handdyed silk
Bev Daly, Silk painted wall panel
The images shown are examples of one-of-a-kind craft which may no longer be available for sale. However, in most cases we can arrange an order. So please contact us if you are interested in any members' work.
Shibori is the ancient Japanese fibre art of bound-resist fabric dyeing. With techniques such as stitching, binding, folding, clamping and pole-wrapping (which leave a permanent record of each fold, stitch and crease) shibori produces unique patterns on cloth.
Traditionally, shibori was done with silk, hemp, or cotton and indigo dye. Contemporary shibori artists have expanded shibori techniques to include dyeing and discharging with fiber-reactive and acid dyes.
Shibori also creates texture and shape on the fabric if it is allowed to dry before removing it from the pole. Arashi shibori is the technique of wrapping silk on a tube, pole, or bottle to produce one-of-a-kind pleated garments and accessories.
Luxurious velvet shawls garments can be fashioned using the devore etching technique. This technique is a decorative printing process where by removing the pile on silk-velvet the transparent design on the silk backing is revealed.
The patterns are printed onto white velvet, the pile removed and the fabric is then dyed. This often results in two different colours on the one fabric.
Luminous, rich and vibrant colours typify silk painting. Silk, is a highly prized natural fibre with unique characteristics. Its lustre and lightness together with the property of attaching to and holding dye better than any other fibre, makes the ideal canvas for painting.
Painted silk has characteristics similar to watercolour painting; soft, flowing colours, or sharp, precise hues, soft blurred edges while using a type of gum resist called 'gutta', designs painted onto silk form a colour containing edge.
Wax resists create patterning, as does screen printing or methods of tying such as Japanese shibori, or the application of salt which can be used to create speckling or crystaline effects.
