SHIBORI ANYONE?????

We started the year 2026 with a great program and workshop full of color and ideas.

Kathleen Waln was our presenter and taught us all a lot about the woven shibori process and about her learning journey. Kathleen began her career in theater and costume design which then led to some time with films. Her travels took her to Japan where she learned as well as taught shibori techniques.

She is an extremely interesting

choose your color She was an extremely interesting

speaker and had a lot of adventures to tell us about - including taking classes in and teaching in the "the room with 100 looms". Can you imagine the noise once they all get going? And the energy in the room.......

Kathleen explained shibori is similar to our experience with "tie dye": the principle is the same- resist dying. But as she says - isn't it more fun to say SHIBORI vs tie dye??

The basic technique Kathleen was teaching in this workshop was use of overshot: you weave an overshot pattern with threads (embroidery floss). You let the threads extend over the edges so later you can pull those threads taught - which creates the resist dye.

wind warp, thread loom

Kathleen sent warp and tie-up info ahead so everyone could arrive with their looms set to go for overshot. There were some issues with getting it done (right?) but everyone learned alot and Kathleen had many great tips on warping the looms. Next step: weaving the overshot: you can see the sample and the threads ready to be pulled. Once the overshot was woven, it is cut off the loom and the pulling of threads begins.

Everyone I talked to stressed how helpful and full of information Kathleen was. Much was learned and lots of fun was had.

fabric pulled & ready to dye

finished overshot sample

examples of Kathleens finished work - beautiful!!!

Thanks to our program chair - Lizette Hopkins for lining up this great workshop. Thanks to all who helped with the workshop and the regular program. It is everyone working together that makes it all fun and worthwhile.