Make a Beautiful Shibori-Style Scarf Using Natural Indigo Dye

Step 1:Prepare Fabric with “Resists” In order to create patterns with indigo dye, “resists” need to be used to prevent dye from hitting the fabric. These can be wooden popsicle sticks or other flat wood shapes like triangles, circles, etc. (found at craft stores) and rubber bands. The more the fabric is folded, the less it will be dyed by the indigo. Tip: Experimenting with the resists is part of the fun of dying! Try a few different techniques to see which one turns out the best!

Step 1:Prepare Fabric with “Resists” In order to create patterns with indigo dye, “resists” need to be used to prevent dye from hitting the fabric. These can be wooden popsicle sticks or other flat wood shapes like triangles, circles, etc. (found at craft stores) and rubber bands. The more the fabric is folded, the less it will be dyed by the indigo. Tip: Experimenting with the resists is part of the fun of dying! Try a few different techniques to see which one turns out the best!

Step 1:Prepare Fabric with “Resists” In order to create patterns with indigo dye, “resists” need to be used to prevent dye from hitting the fabric. These can be wooden popsicle sticks or other flat wood shapes like triangles, circles, etc. (found at craft stores) and rubber bands. The more the fabric is folded, the less it will be dyed by the indigo. Tip: Experimenting with the resists is part of the fun of dying! Try a few different techniques to see which one turns out the best!

Step 1:Prepare Fabric with “Resists” In order to create patterns with indigo dye, “resists” need to be used to prevent dye from hitting the fabric. These can be wooden popsicle sticks or other flat wood shapes like triangles, circles, etc. (found at craft stores) and rubber bands. The more the fabric is folded, the less it will be dyed by the indigo. Tip: Experimenting with the resists is part of the fun of dying! Try a few different techniques to see which one turns out the best!

Step 1:Prepare Fabric with “Resists” In order to create patterns with indigo dye, “resists” need to be used to prevent dye from hitting the fabric. These can be wooden popsicle sticks or other flat wood shapes like triangles, circles, etc. (found at craft stores) and rubber bands. The more the fabric is folded, the less it will be dyed by the indigo. Tip: Experimenting with the resists is part of the fun of dying! Try a few different techniques to see which one turns out the best!

Step 3: Dye Fabric While wearing gloves, gently ease fabric into dye bath to avoid splashing. Since water is hot, use a large spoon or stir stick to keep fabric submerged in dye bath for sixty seconds. Remove from dye bath and put in second plastic tub to set. Fabric will appear green at first and will turn indigo blue once the air hits it. Tip: For a richer indigo color, repeat dyeing process, allowing the fabric to rest for 30 minutes between each time in the dye bath. Leave dyed fabrics in resists overnight, so pattern and dye can set. Tip: While the dye bath is prepared, dye as many textiles as you can! Cotton t-shirts, linen napkins, tea towels, pillow cases, etc. Natural fiber fabrics will yield the best results.

Step 3: Dye Fabric While wearing gloves, gently ease fabric into dye bath to avoid splashing. Since water is hot, use a large spoon or stir stick to keep fabric submerged in dye bath for sixty seconds. Remove from dye bath and put in second plastic tub to set. Fabric will appear green at first and will turn indigo blue once the air hits it. Tip: For a richer indigo color, repeat dyeing process, allowing the fabric to rest for 30 minutes between each time in the dye bath. Leave dyed fabrics in resists overnight, so pattern and dye can set. Tip: While the dye bath is prepared, dye as many textiles as you can! Cotton t-shirts, linen napkins, tea towels, pillow cases, etc. Natural fiber fabrics will yield the best results.

Step 3: Dye Fabric While wearing gloves, gently ease fabric into dye bath to avoid splashing. Since water is hot, use a large spoon or stir stick to keep fabric submerged in dye bath for sixty seconds. Remove from dye bath and put in second plastic tub to set. Fabric will appear green at first and will turn indigo blue once the air hits it. Tip: For a richer indigo color, repeat dyeing process, allowing the fabric to rest for 30 minutes between each time in the dye bath. Leave dyed fabrics in resists overnight, so pattern and dye can set. Tip: While the dye bath is prepared, dye as many textiles as you can! Cotton t-shirts, linen napkins, tea towels, pillow cases, etc. Natural fiber fabrics will yield the best results.

Step 3: Dye Fabric While wearing gloves, gently ease fabric into dye bath to avoid splashing. Since water is hot, use a large spoon or stir stick to keep fabric submerged in dye bath for sixty seconds. Remove from dye bath and put in second plastic tub to set. Fabric will appear green at first and will turn indigo blue once the air hits it. Tip: For a richer indigo color, repeat dyeing process, allowing the fabric to rest for 30 minutes between each time in the dye bath. Leave dyed fabrics in resists overnight, so pattern and dye can set. Tip: While the dye bath is prepared, dye as many textiles as you can! Cotton t-shirts, linen napkins, tea towels, pillow cases, etc. Natural fiber fabrics will yield the best results.

Step 4: Undo Resists Remove resists (rubber bands, popsicle sticks, etc.) from scarf. Unfold fabric and hang or lay out to dry. Some of the fabric may again appear green until it is exposed to the air.

Step 4: Undo Resists Remove resists (rubber bands, popsicle sticks, etc.) from scarf. Unfold fabric and hang or lay out to dry. Some of the fabric may again appear green until it is exposed to the air.