Seasonal Bell Shibori Tutorial, created for Merlette - Jane Callender, Indigo Shibori Specialist

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]An old damask linen table napkin has been given a new, seasonal lease of life with an indigo bell motif. It is worked in maki-age shibori, a stitched and bound technique, and dyed in indigo.

The method combines ‘tie-dye’ with stitching which controls the shape. Afterwards, the thread is pulled up and tied off and the resulting pouch of fabric is bound. Stitches can be worked on the fold as again, when these are pulled up a pouch of fabric is formed which can also be bound. These two variants are included in my bell design.

Other suitable natural fibre fabrics would be a prima cotton, cotton lawn or poplin, linen – but not too heavy and certain silks.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609692040624{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1942″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609692144842{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1609863344039{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1609863329985{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]

What you need for this project

A cotton or linen table napkin or natural fabric of your choice which has been washed and rinsed thoroughly. Do not use fabric conditioner. The example measures 17” x 18”
Water soluble fabric marker pen
Very strong stitching thread such as a button twist or the recommended thread from Jane’s web site.
A Needle and some pins
A quick unpick ‘seam ripper’ or a pair of fine pointed scissors
Indigo or dye of your choice suitable for natural fibres.

Dye recipes and procedures are not given.

Wet out the shibori bundle thoroughly before dyeing. The linen napkin had five dips in a natural indigo vat.

Download the Seasonal Bell template (pdf) by clicking on the button below:[/vc_column_text][button target=”_blank” hover_type=”default” text=”Download the template” link=”https://janecallender.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Seasonal-Bell-Project-template-Jane-Callender-for-Merlette.pdf”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1941″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” qode_css_animation=”” link=”https://janecallender.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Seasonal-Bell-Project-template-Jane-Callender-for-Merlette.pdf”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691435935{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Step 1

Draw out the shapes. It helps to make a plan on paper first before tracing it onto the fabric. Avoid sharp corners. Use a water soluble fabric marker pen. Alternatively trace off the free design supplied. The bell measures 4”H x 4 1/4 “ W in this exanple.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1905″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

Step 2

With a single, very strong fine thread, work straight stitch (running stitch) of about 3mm on the drawn line. There is no need to put a knot in the end of the thread as the two ends will be tied off to each other when pulled up.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1920″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1906″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Step 3

The leaves. Fold them in half, pinning to secure. Stitch, following the outer curved line.
Use the thread doubled this time and make a big knot at the end.
Stitch away from the bell.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1907″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Step 4

Pull up the leaves making sure the folds are tightly packed together.
Secure them by dividing the double thread and tie them off to each other with a double knot.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1908″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Step 5

Now for the clapper. Pop a bead under the dot, where the bell’s clapper will be, and bind tightly around this to create ne-maki shibori, a thread resisted ring.
Trap the tail under the thumb in order to keep the thread in place and add good tension.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1909″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Bind around the base of the bead very tightly about 5 or 6 times and tie off with a double knot.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1921″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Step 6

Once the leaves have been pulled up, pull up the thread on the bell from both ends.
Ease the fabric round so that the folds are tightly packed, and tie off.
It may help to put a small bead inside the pouch that forms to bind up to.

Check that the little tucks and pleats are well compressed and lying evenly and that no fabric is trapped from underneath. Give the pouch a bit of a tug either side of the stitching line to settle the folds.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1910″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Step 7

Using the same fine very strong thread begin to bind over the stitching line. Leave a tail of thread – about 3” to tie off to when the binding comes back down. Trap the tail under the thumb, as in image 5, in order to keep the thread in place and add good tension. Bind in the same place about four times before binding up to the top. Go around about three times on the way down crisscross over the upward binding.
Tie off securely to the tail.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1911″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Wet out the shibori bundle before dyeing in indigo or another dye of your choice.

Step 8

After dyeing the shibori bundle, give it a good rinse through. Let it dry. Then with a quick unpick ‘seam ripper’ take time to carefully cut through the binding and stitching thread to reveal the resist.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1912″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609691444641{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Step 9

After all the ties have been removed, rinse under cold running water. Then wash well allowing fresh water to continually run through and changing the water often to keep the resist clear and bright. Allow the fabric to dry naturally.

Iron on the wrong side.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1913″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609692415678{margin-top: 30px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1609692477006{padding-top: 25px !important;}”]

Join Shibori Stream

If you enjoyed this tutorial you might want to join my online Shibori Stream workshops – click below to find out more.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”center” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1609692372533{margin-top: 20px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][button target=”_self” hover_type=”default” text=”Find out more about Shibori Stream” link=”https://janecallender.com/workshops/online-shibori-classes-with-jane-callender-shibori-specialist/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]