Easy Shibori Tie Dye Techniques -- Book Review & Holiday Gift Ideas

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have to say I miss my Crafty Weekends (and Sharing Saturdays). I always loved seeing what people were sharing at different blogs. However Google changed how it rated such things and made link parties a bad thing. As I reminisce about Crafty Weekends I thought I would share a fun craft book today. The book is Easy Shibori Tie Dye Techniques: Do-It-Yourself Tying, Folding and Resist Dyeing by Studio TAC Creative. This is more of an adult craft but with adult help older kids could try it.

From the Publisher:

Easy home tie-dyeing techniques with a Japanese twist!

If you love the simple blue-on-white beauty of Shibori and want to learn some new dyeing techniques, this book is for you! Easy Shibori Tie Dye Techniques starts with the essentials of the dye vat, takes you step-by-step through the basics, and shows you innovative ideas for tying and resist dyeing techniques. Old garments become unique fashion statements. Tired home goods are upcycled into one-of-a-kind design elements. This book also shows you creative ways of making unusual patterns--using anything from a coin to a clothespin to a water bottle!

With this unique book you will learn how to:

• Use small plastic balls to create unique snowflake burst effects
• Make edgy geometric patterns using foam blocks
• Do a bit of pleating and rolling with the help of a plastic water bottle to create unique motifs
• Create polka dots--neatly arranged or artistically haphazard--using coins and clothespins
• Use different folding techniques to achieve gradient effects
• Apply methods and tricks to knitted and woven shirts, bags, table cloths, and more!

The techniques in this book are easy enough for beginners and will also inspire experienced dyers. Just about any fabric item in your wardrobe or linen closet be transformed and repurposed with a bit of dye, and the creative techniques in this book!

About the Author:

Studio TAC Creative is a Japanese collective specializing in subjects such as dyeing, bead making, leather craft, cars and bicycles, food and drink, and more.

From Me:

Shibori is a Japanese style of resist dyeing. It is usually done with an indigo dye which results in the beautiful blue and white designs. This book takes the reader through the entire process of shibori tie dye techniques from beginning to end. It offers twelve different techniques and various projects from clothing to cushion covers and more! Each project would make wonderful holiday gifts for various people on your list.

After sharing photographs of the various projects, the book starts with the tools you will need. Some are specific to a certain technique while others are needed for all projects. Then it goes into the basics of indigo dyeing. Gloves must be worn when indigo dyeing. This procedure if very hands on which is why I said it was an adult activity. You do not want children getting the dye on their hands or spilling it. 

 The techniques vary from the tied shibori method shown above to using objects to provide resistance with the dye. The objects are everyday things like coins, blocks, super balls, plastic bottles and more. Each technique is a bit unique and is well explained with photographs and words in the tutorials. Sample projects are then provided with more photos and instructions. 

If you are ready to delve into this fun dyeing method, you can make some amazing holiday gifts!! Or you can make some great new clothes, home decor and more for yourself. I hope you will check out this fun book and share some photos of your projects with me! Happy crafting!!