Club Indigo - New online for 2023

Discover the versatility of indigo dye.

Club Indigo 2023 will be a series of shorter recorded classes, each going over a style of shibori. They will be posted on the class' private Facebook page, for you to watch at your leisure! There will be one technique posted every two weeks, giving you ample time to experiment with each technique. Some will be your favorite, and some you won't respond to as much, but I urge you to complete at least one of each example. 



After several weeks of stitching, pleating and gathering, we will have a big bin of completely prepped fabric As the weather warms up, we will build a vat of pre-reduced indigo and spend a day dyeing fabric together, learning the best ways to get saturation, and oxidization! The last two meeting will be on Zoom. This way I can check your vat and am more accessible for questions. 

We will meet on Thursday evenings, 4:00 Arizona time (Mountain Standard) for an hour or so to discuss at least one method a day. I will have examples and give demonstrations, then you will have 2 weeks to practice and apply that technique, making your pieces as elaborate or simple as you like. I expect to cover at least 8 types of shibori over the course. 


Class #1 - March 2nd - Stitch & Bitch
Class #2 - March 16th - More Stitchin', and Likely more Bitchin' 
Class #3 - March 30th - Sticks & Stones
Class #4 - April 13th - Pleats to meet you! (NOT on Thursday)
Class #5 - April 27th - Ropes, Clamps & Ties
Class #6 - May 11th - Tie up those loose ends! 
Class #7 - May 19th - Build A Vat - ON ZOOM!
Class #8 - May 20th - Dip & Dye Day! - ON ZOOM! 

I will provide
10 yards fabric
Pre-Reduced Indigo Kit
An assortment of curious tools for the various techniques. 
I will provide some of the binding materials 
Lotsa inspiration and coaching when I demonstrate each technique. 



You will need to supply
Needles -  I use sharps 5-9 and also some embroidery needles. You will find what fits you best. 
Thread - To start with, lets use a medium weight bonded nylon thread - Black and one other different color. I've used upholstery weight, but its a little thick for this fabric. Polyester is the next best thing. Remember that we will be pulling and tugging on this thread so it needs to be strong!  
Thimble - Lotsa stitching'!

Binding materials - You will need a large spool of artificial sinew. Most craft stores carry it in the beading or leather department, and it is also available on line. Use your coupons at the big box craft stores and get the BIG spool. You will be glad you did. 

Marking tools - I like to mark my fabrics and draw designs with water soluble pens, pencils and chalk pencils. 



Later you will need a 5 gallon bucket, one or 2 long wooden stir sticks, plastic sheeting and an outdoor area to work in. But there is lots of fun and interesting things to share between now and then!

I hope you join me for this slow stitching adventure in indigo dyeing. Its entirely different than fiber reactive, and a much more leisurely pace. At the end, you will have a beautiful collection of your very own Indigo dyed shibori! 

*While some of the information from Pole Dancing and all of the Itajime classes I teach will cross over from other classes, we approach it entirely different with natural indigo, and can use that to create fabulous new designs! 

*If you need to break this into 2 payments, please contact me at arteeest@handsonhanddyes.com to make arrangements! I'm happy to accommodate your request.