Shibori Velvet Pillows

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• White Pillow Covers (cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie, rayon, nylon or a blend that does not contain more than 60% polyester)
• Rit Tie-Dye Shibori Kit
• 3-Gallon Plastic Tub or Bucket
• Measuring Cup
• Measuring Spoons
• Plastic or Metal Stirring Spoon
• Paper Towels or White Fabric Swatch
• Plastic Table Cover
• Mild Detergent
• Rubber Bands

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prewash pillow covers in warm, soapy water. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption. Leave damp.
2. For Itajime Shibori, accordion fold pillow cover like a fan horizontally in folds of equal length (about 3" wide), with a minimum of three folds. This will form a long, rectangle similar to a fan.
3. Then accordion fold the rectangle into a 3" right triangle. Sandwich between two acrylic squares and secure with rubber bands.
4. For Kanoko Shibori, pinch center of pillow cover and bind with rubber bands about 2" from the center. Continue to place rubber bands every 2" down the length of the pillow cover.
5. Fill large dye container with 2 gallons very hot water (140F). If water is not hot enough, heat water in a cook pot or teapot.
6. Shake dye bottle before measuring. Wearing rubber gloves, measure 1/2 cup All-Purpose Indigo or other color and pour into hot water and stir well.
7. Test color using a swatch of white fabric or paper towel. If color is too light, add more dye; if it is too dark, add more water.
8. Immerse bound pillow covers into dyebath. Move pillow covers around to be sure dye penetrates the fabric. For a high contrast pattern, keep the fabric square in the dye for 3 to 5 minutes to keep the clipped part dye-free. For more color, let square set in dye bath for 10 to 20 minutes.
9. When satisfied with the color, remove fabric square. Squeeze out excess dye. Do not remove clips.
10. Recommended: To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, immediately dip the clipped fabric square into Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative for 20 minutes, following directions on bottle.
11. Remove rubber bands and acrylic squares and rinse pillow cover with cool water until rinse water begins to run clear. Then wash the pillow cover in mild detergent with warm water, rinse and dry.
12. Add a pillow form.