Tag: children textile art

Shibori – also known as tie-dye

Shibori – also known as tie-dye

We were tying ourselves in knots this week – intentionally, and imaginatively. Different knots and folds, around different objects (such as small stones and lolly sticks), and with different ties (elastic bands or cable ties) created different and amazing effects. In order to ensure the dye is reasonably colourfast – i.e. the dye won’t all run out in the wash – I soaked the fabric (100% cotton) in soda ash first. You could add soda ash to the dye instead but this means…

weaving – with wool, fabric, ribbons, threads…

weaving – with wool, fabric, ribbons, threads…

This week we made our own looms out of cardboard (cut along two edges with pinking shears) and used them to weave amazing patterns using wool, fabric, threads, ribbons – all sorts! The colours the kids combined were fantastic. This activity suits those who like to work slowly – really getting into the zone – rather than those who are easily  bored with repetitive activities. It’s also one for those who like working with different textures – all the results are just begging…