Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced
August 23, 2025-1 Session (Saturday)
10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Suzanne Connors
Class Fee: $140.00 non-members + $45.00 Supply Fee
            $126.00 BRMAA members + $45.00 Supply Fee
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Indigo is an ancient dye derived from the leaves of plants and surrounded by magic, mystery, and folklore. Discover how the leaves “make blue” by learning about the character and chemistry of the natural indigo vat. The complex chemistry of the indigo vat is fascinating, and students will soon appreciate how rituals have grown around the making and using of a successful vat. The unique “attaching” of indigo to fiber means it is particularly suited to resist methods of dying, such as shibori, where portions of cloth are closed off to the dye or where the flow of dye is restricted. Different shades of blue build on the fabric after several dips, exhibiting the beautiful, graded hues, which are so typical of indigo.
Students will initially learn how an indigo vat is made. A vat will be prepared in the morning and the basic chemistry explained. The natural indigo powder will be used, and the vat will be “reduced” using a commercially available chemical. While the vat develops, students will be shown several shibori techniques: a folded and clamped method, and a twisted and tied technique. Students can expect to dye a set of four napkins in this workshop.
Please bring with you: a pair of new dishwashing-long rubber gloves, a seam-ripper or a small pair of sharp scissors, old towels, and a plastic bag to take wet items home. Please wear an old shirt or apron, pants, and closed-toe shoes. 

DEGUMMING IS THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE SERICIN, OR SILK GUM, FROM SILK. REMOVING THE GUM IMPROVES THE SHEEN, COLOR, HAND, AND TEXTURE OF THE SILK. BECAUSE THE GUM CAN SERVE AS A PROTECTIVE LAYER, IT IS TYPICALLY LEFT ON THE SILK UNTIL IT IS READY TO DYE. MOST OF US KNOW THESE RAW SILK FABRICS AS SILK ORGANZA.

Selective degumming removes one of the two proteins from the fiber in silk organza, otherwise known as raw silk. When this process is done in combination with shibori resist techniques, (itajime, Arashi, ori-nui) you can selectively have areas with the softness of habotai silk and other areas with the crispness of organza. This creates a beautiful fabric with a texture that dyeing techniques can further enhance. In this workshop, you will apply a selection of shibori techniques on raw silk fabrics in the morning. After lunch, these fabrics will be processed to remove the sericin protein and then over-dyed in indigo.

1.  Discharging is the process of removing dye (by destroying or altering the dye "chromophores") with various chemicals or bleach, often in pleasing patterns or designs through Shibori or Tie Dye methods, or by stamping, stenciling, or block printing.

Using silk scarves or pieces of colored fabric, students will learn various methods to take dye out of fabric.   The instructor will provide 1 silk scarf and 2 pieces of black fabric. You may bring 1 smaller sized black shirt for further exploration (if time allows) Materials fee $40

 Safety issues will be emphasized and students need to know that they will be working with bleach, thiox, and de-colorants.  It is advised that students with respiratory issues not take this course.  The shibori parts of the class can be completed indoors, but when using chemicals we will be working outside

Kakishibu Persimmon Tannin and Indigo Discharge: Shibori and Direct Application

These easy dye processes offer great possibilities for expanding our surface application experience on fabric and paper.

Kakishibu persimmon tannin is a natural rusty brown colorant that requires no heat or chemicals to fix. An iron rinse modifies the tan shades to smoky grey and black.

Indigo will be available for over-dyeing Kakishibu patterns, and we will also discharge indigo with potassium permanganate to create off white or bronzy shades against the blue background.. Ana Lisa will teach Arashi, stitching, and Itajime shibori techniques. Brushing, stamping, or dipping adds more options.

Join us for this exploration!

We will make several scarves and samples of natural fabrics and paper.

During this same timeframe, Ana Lisa Hedstrom will also exhibit some of her work in the UNcommon Threads Exhibit at the Martin County Cultural Court House Gallery. Ana will also be participating in the UNcommon Threads Trunk Show on October 18-19, 2025, and an Artist Talk is planned for the evening of October 21 in the Gallery.

Ana Lisa is known for her signature textiles based on contemporary adaptations of shibori. Her textiles are included in the collections of major museums, including the Cooper Hewitt, the Museum of Art and Design, and the De Young Museum. Her work has been exhibited and published internationally. She has taught and lectured at numerous international Shibori conferences and schools. Her awards include two NEA grants, and she is a fellow of the American Craft Council.