The ancient Japanese tradition of textile painting known as Shibori entails many techniques and processes including the gathering, wrapping and binding methods that we call "tie-dye" today.

Traditional Shibori treats fabric as a 3-dimensional form rather than a flat cloth and is characterized by soft or blurry-edged patterns. Kimonos produced with this hand-dyed method can sometimes take a year to complete and are highly treasured.

This 2-part lesson plan involves painting and draping stiffened fabric over an existing form. Students will use their own hand-painted fabric to create a 3-dimensional, sculptural piece. Silk is a traditional Japanese fabric that works well for this project because:
1) Paint will flow easily through silk and dry quickly on it.
2) The weightless qualities of silk allow it to be formed and sculpted in many beautiful ways.
3) Silk is translucent, even when painted and formed, so there will be a natural luminosity caused by light passing through the vessel, keeping the colors bright and defining the folds of the drapery.

Tie-dying with Dye-na-flow paint is fun and easy on silk. It doesn't need special additives or overnight dry time. A quick pass with an iron will heat-set the colors so they don’t run together with the fabric medium.

Grade Levels

6–12

Objectives

• Students will learn to employ a basic fabric painting technique by gathering and binding, then applying flowable colors
• Students will apply color as an element of fabric design, and apply the principles of form and movement to create a 3-dimensional, sculptural piece
• Students will connect contemporary examples of tie-dye to the historical process of Japanese Shibori

Historical/Cultural Relativity

• Refer to the ancient Japanese tradition of textile painting and show examples. Compare and contrast contemporary examples
• Discuss the importance of silk production to the historical and contemporary economy of Japan
• Discuss the Japanese aesthetics of beauty in simplicity and art in daily life

Procedure

1. PREPARE SILK FOR TIE DYE: Have students fold and tie silk tightly with Plastibands, using one of the methods listed at right.
2. APPLY COLOR: Plan the sequence of color. Begin with the lightest color (yellow). Using eyedroppers apply Dye-Na-Flow, working the eyedropper tip down between the folds of the fabric and thoroughly saturating the area. Repeat with Magenta and follow with Blue. Place silk on foam plate and allow to penetrate silk for at least 20-30 minutes (could be left overnight).
3. REMOVE BANDS: use scissors to clip off bands, unroll silk. Hang up on a clothesline to dry - it won’t take long.
4. HEAT SET: with iron on "silk" setting, iron both sides of the silk to remove wrinkles and set color
5. CUT FABRIC: cutting the silk into smaller pieces will allow for more shaping of fabric on the form. If you wish for the fabric to drape in a flowing manner, cut larger pieces. If you wish for more texture and dimension, cut smaller pieces. For a variety of textures, cut a variety of sizes.
6. APPLY MEDIUM: dispense GAC 400 medium into butter-tub size mixing bowls, add silk pieces. Using fingers, thoroughly mix until fabric is saturated with medium.
7. COVER FORM: piece by piece, cover glassware with silk, turning as each piece is applied. Encourage students to bend, fold, twist, bunch, crinkle, and smooth fabric for a variety of textures. Some areas of glass may be left uncovered, if desired. Don’t try to cover the base. Wash up with soap and water.
8. ALLOW TO DRY: the GAC 400 medium will be dry in the lightest areas within an hour. Thicker areas of fabric will take up to 4 hours to dry. Stiffened fabric will have a "crisp" feel, but will have some "give" to it, so it won't crack or break off

Topics for Discussion

1. Japanese artists look for simple, beautiful designs in everything from clothing to teacups. What everyday objects can you think of that are beautiful as well as functional?
2. How does our everyday culture differ? Do we have different values in art than the Japanese?

National Standards

Content Standard #1 — Understanding and applying media, techniques and processes

5-8 Students intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques and processes to enhance communication of their experience and ideas.

9-12 Students apply media, techniques and processes with sufficient skill, confidence and sensitivity that their intentions are carried out in their artworks

Content Standard #4 — Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and culture

5-8 Students know and compare the characteristics of artworks in various eras and cultures

9-12 Students analyze relationships of works of art to one another in terms of history, aesthetics and culture, justifying conclusions made in the analysis and using such conclusions to inform their own art making.

Shibori Vase, above, uses a 7" high fishbowl as base, a 16" x 16" piece of silk, Golden GAC 400 medium and Dye-na-flow colors: Sun Yellow, Magenta, Brilliant Red and Azure Blue