Itajime Shibori - The Story Behind our Best-Seller...

Shibori is a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique, which produces patterns on fabric. There are an infinite number of ways one can bind, stitch, fold, twist, or compress cloth for Shibori, and each way effects in very distinctive patterns. 

Each technique is used to achieve a certain outcome, but each method is also used to work in harmony with the type of cloth used.

Therefore, the technique used in Shibori depends not only on the desired pattern, but the characteristics of the cloth being dyed.

Also, different techniques can be used in juxtaposition with one another to achieve even more rich results. Additionally, surface embellishments such a embroidery is applied onto the finished fabric for additional augmentation of the fabric.

Which one do we love?

Itajime Shibori is a shaped-resist technique (aka clamp-dye technique). Traditionally, the cloth is sandwiched between two pieces of wood, which are held in place with strings. More modern textile artists can be found using shapes cut from acrylic or plexiglass and holding the shapes with C-clamps. The shapes prevent the dye from penetrating the fabric they cover.

At K Clothing, our best seller thus far has been garments made with fabric of this technique dyed with indigo. The end result is a wonderfully sophisticated look, cool, breezy and classy and a sure hit among many women!