Aizome Studio | suzanne connors

A focused one-day immersion in shibori resist and indigo dyeing, designed for both first-time and returning students.

Working with authentic Japanese tenugui cotton, students are introduced to the foundational principles of cloth manipulation, resist, and indigo process. The workshop begins with core techniques using folded and bound resist, along with simple buffering methods that help establish clarity, contrast, and control in pattern formation.

Each session introduces two shibori approaches. Students then select a pathway aligned with their experience level, working at either a foundational or more refined level within the same technique. Beginners focus on building confidence and understanding, while returning students may explore increased precision, repetition, or variation.

Dyeing is done using a high-quality pre-reduced indigo sourced from Japan, allowing students to complete the full dye process within a single day. Through multiple dips and oxidation cycles, participants experience how indigo develops gradually building depth and richness over time.

All techniques are carefully chosen to be completed within the workshop timeframe, including binding, dyeing, and rinsing, so students leave with a complete understanding of the process from start to finish.

Instruction is responsive and individualized, and no two sessions are exactly alike. This workshop may be taken more than once, as each offering presents variation in technique, cloth, and outcome.

Rooted in traditional Japanese resist methods, this class emphasizes process, discipline, and material awareness over a predetermined finished item.

For those wishing to deepen their practice, this workshop serves as an entry point into the Aizome Shibori Signature Series, including two-day intensives and the Shibori Mastery Retreat.

What You’ll Learn

• How resist techniques create pattern in cloth
• The basics of working with an indigo vat
• Indigo Vat Etiquette
• Folding, binding, and wrapping methods
• How to plan and execute simple shibori designs

What You’ll Leave With

• One or more finished cloth pieces
• Foundational skills to continue exploring shibori

Who This Workshop Is For

• Beginners with no prior dye experience
• Artists and makers exploring surface design
• Anyone interested in Japanese textile traditions

Materials

Tenugi Fabric will be provided with materials fee. Students may bring their own natural fiber cloth (cotton, linen) cut to 14" width, or purchase additional materials through the studio. -

A materials fee may apply. Details will be provided upon registration.

What to Bring

• Apron or clothes suitable for dyeing
• Closed-toe shoes
• Optional: personal fabrics to dye
• hand tools (needles with an eye you can thread)
• long dishwashing gloves
• old toweling

Important Notes

• Indigo is a natural dye, but it can permanently stain clothing
• Some hand strength is helpful for binding techniques
• Please arrive on time, as the dye process is time-sensitive

Looking Ahead

This workshop also serves as a foundation for those interested in continuing into our
Shibori: Cloth, Lineage & Indigo Discipline – Signature Mastery Series