shibori – Mary Vaneecke

Tag: shibori

Haiku III

Posted on August 31, 2016May 2, 2023 by Mary Vaneecke

Haiku III

The silk remembers

The loom, the folds, the needle,

The thread, and the flame.

Shibori is a Japanese word for creating pattern on fabric. In the shibori process, many items can be used–folds, clamps, string, needle and thread. Haiku III is a visual interpretation of the poetic literary art form. Translucent silk fabrics were dyed using the itajime and machine-stitched Katano shibori. They were layered and machine stitched with burned raw edges. While the four complexly dyed fabrics relate to one another, each is beautiful in its own right. Photo by Jack Kulawik.

Haiku III, 2016 by Mary Vaneecke, 38'' x 46'' — Haiku III, 2016 by Mary Vaneecke, 38” x 46”

Haiku I

Posted on August 30, 2016September 3, 2018 by Mary Vaneecke

Haiku I became a study of sorts for a larger work (Haiku II) and launches a new series. Both feature hand-dyed sheer silk fabrics over-layed with synthetic sheers, and machine stitched. This allows for a fascinating interplay between colors, values, and repeating shapes. Haiku I is more intense, and reminds me of a Rorschach test, if you had double vision. The namesake poetry, and the dyeing technique, shibori, are both Japanese.

Of course, I had to write a haiku to celebrate this new series.

Haiku I

Two colors: red, black

Layered to affect the mood–

Simple yet complex.

Another good day to dye…

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Mary Vaneecke

So I have been in the dye studio for a few days and have some pieces to share. These are all various forms of shibori, the Japanese word for putting pattern on fabric by applying pressure with dye. Most of these are silk fabrics, procion dyes are used on each.

Itajime circles under a chevron. — Itajime shibori circles under a chevron pattern.

This sekka shibori with blueberry and raspberry dye is making me hungry!

More itajime, this time with zig zag stripes and navy and red dyes. This fabric was dyed, discharged and over-dyed. This method brings out a lot of subtle complexity in the final product.

Admittedly, this chevron piece is kinda ugly. But I have learned that this is merely an opportunity to throw it into another dye bath or discharge it to get something spectacular. Stay tuned.

Now comes one of my favorite parts of the art-making process: auditioning fabrics to put them all together….