Shibori Face Mask

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Rit Indigo Shibori Tie Dye Kit
• (2) 9" x 7" rectangles of 100% cotton fabric
• (2) Pieces of 1/4 inch elastic cut to 6.5 inches
• Plastic Container
• Binder Clips
• Salt
• Measuring Cup
• Plastic Table Cover
• Paper Towels
• Sewing Machine/Thread
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative

DIRECTIONS:

How to Create Shibori Dyed Fabric Using Itajime Method:

1. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
2. Wet fabric.
3. To create a traditional Itajime pattern, accordion fold or “fan fold" the fabric in 4 1/2" wide folds down the length of the fabric. This will form a long rectangle. For more pattern variations, vary the size and width of the folds.
4. Accordion fold or “fan fold" the long rectangle into a 4 1/2" fabric square.
5. Sandwich the fabric square between the 4" blocks of wood.
6. Secure “sandwich" with rubber bands to tightly hold the fabric square together.
7. Fill a plastic container with 1.5 gallons of very hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dye bath.
8. To enhance the color add one cup of salt. Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing. Stir well.
9. Wearing rubber gloves, add 1/4 cup of well-shaken Indigo dye to dye bath.
10. Add sandwiched fabric to dye bath. For a high contrast pattern, keep the sandwiched fabric in the dye bath for about 3 to 5 minutes to keep the wrapped part dye-free. For more color and less white areas, leave the wrapped fabric set in the dye bath for 10 to 20 minutes.
11. When desired color is achieved, remove wrapped fabric from the dye bath. Do not remove wood blocks.
12. We strongly recommend using Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing. It enhances the color, increases color retention and prevents dye from bleeding into white areas. Follow package instructions.
13. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
14. Carefully remove wood blocks and rubber bands. Unfold the fabric.
15. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

How to Create Shibori Dyed Fabric Using Binder Clips:

1. Gather supplies and cover work area.
2. To Shibori dye using binder clips, accordion fold or “fan fold" the fabric in 4 1/2" wide folds down the length of the fabric. This will form a long rectangle. For more pattern variations, vary the size and width of the folds.
3. Accordion fold or “fan fold" the long rectangle into a 4 1/2" fabric square.
4. Secure the folded fabric by placing binder clips around the edges.
5. Fill a plastic container with 1.5 gallons of very hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dye bath.
6. To enhance the color add one cup of salt.
7. Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing. Stir well.
8. Wearing rubber gloves, add 1/4 cup of well-shaken Indigo dye to dye bath.
9. Add the clipped fabric to the dye bath. For a high contrast pattern, keep the fabric in the dye bath for about 3 to 5 minutes to keep the wrapped part dye-free. For more color and less white areas, leave the wrapped fabric set in the dye bath for 10 to 20 minutes.
10. When desired color is achieved, remove wrapped fabric from the dye bath. Do not remove the binder clips.
11. We strongly recommend using Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing. It enhances the color, increases color retention and prevents dye from bleeding into white areas. Follow package instructions.
12. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
13. Carefully remove binder clips. Unfold the fabric.
14. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

How to Sew a Face Mask:

1. Lay the two pieces of 9" x 7" Shibori dyed fabric together.
2. Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner, stop.
3. Sew the elastic with the edge out into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this.
4. Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of the same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back.
5. Now sew across the top of the mask to the next corner. Again, put an elastic with the edge out.
6. Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic.
7. Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5" to 2" open. Stop, cut the thread.
8. Turn inside out.
9. Pin 3 tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are the same direction.
10. Sew around the edge of the mask twice.
11. Standard face mask is now ready to wear.