Materials Checklist: a shopping guide
Our suggested tools and supplies for Shibori dyeing:
(These specific links aren't necessarily the most affordable option for each item; later sections go into more choices for sourcing. Reliability & quality are also taken into consideration.)
- Things to dye! Clothing or fabric made from cellulose fibers
- Fiber Reactive Dyes
- Soda Ash (sodium carbonate) powder
- Gloves (I prefer vinyl and powder-free)
- Artificial waxed sinew (white, flat, in a roll)
- Rubber bands
- Clamps (non-rusting is a plus!)
- Clear-sided glass jar
- Small silicone spatula, spoon, or paintbrush for pasting up dye
- Household items to clamp onto fabric: popsicle sticks, clothes pins, matching sets of jar lids, old CDs, acrylic shapes, etc.
- Long plastic or wooden spoon (not for food use)
- Buckets or containers for dyeing in
- Small scissors
- Reusable washable rags, i.e., cut up an old towel
- A non-staining surface to work on. We love plastic folding tables because dye wipes off easily. You can cover any surface with plastic sheeting or just use an unopened garbage bag!
- Dawn dish soap (blue, original)
Globally, there are all kinds of neat, nifty, and mysterious supplies available for Shibori-- I use what's listed above, and identify as a "non-traditional" Shibori dyer. You really can do this with basic tie-dye supplies or go artisan-traditional straight-from-Japan with your supplies. Pick and choose!
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