Shibori: Cloth, Lineage & Indigo Discipline

An Aizome Studio Signature Series Workshop with Suzanne Connors
Hosted at AThe Wagonmaster Ranch in Murphy, NC

A Two-Day Intensive in the North Carolina Mountains

A two-day intensive exploring repetition as a means of developing pattern, rhythm, and visual language within shibori.

Working on Japanese tenugui cotton fabric and using authentic tools, students build on foundational resist techniques to investigate consistency, spacing, and the subtle variations that emerge through repeated forms.

Day one includes the preparation of a natural reduction indigo vat, which becomes the working vat for the duration of the workshop. This allows students to deepen their understanding of indigo through repeated use and observation.

Through multiple rounds of binding and dyeing, participants refine their ability to control pattern while allowing for organic variation. Attention is given to alignment, density, and the cumulative effect of repeated resist.

Instruction remains adaptive, allowing students to work at an appropriate level within the same framework. Beginners focus on establishing control and consistency, while returning students explore increased precision, scale, and variation.

Students will produce a series of patterned tenugui that reflect both repetition and individual decision-making. As with all workshops in the series, emphasis is placed on process over product.

Part of the Aizome Shibori Signature Series and may be taken individually or as part of a progressive course of study.

What We Will Study

The discipline of thread tension and its impact on line integrity
The use of buffers and compression to protect negative space
Traditional methods for achieving multiple shades of indigo
The importance of many slow dips, allowing oxidation to build depth
The relationship between cloth memory, stitch rhythm, and pattern clarity

Rather than rushing toward results, we will allow the process to unfold — stitch by stitch, dip by dip — building luminous blues through repetition and patience.

Authentic Materials & Tools

Participants will work with:

Japanese shibori cotton
Traditional shibori thread
A living indigo vat
Authentic Japanese shibori tools and equipment, used to create proper compression, tension, and pattern definition

Using traditional tools connects us to the historical discipline of this craft and allows for technical accuracy that modern shortcuts cannot replicate.

What to Bring

Students need only bring:

An apron
Long dishwashing gloves
Small hand tools (scissors, seam ripper)
Hand-sewing needles
old terry cloth towels

All specialty materials are provided. (material fee) additional materials will be available for purchase by the studio

Who Is This For?

• Artists ready to go deeper into shibori
• Beginners who want strong foundations rather than surface exposure
• Returning students who want refinement
• Anyone interested in heritage-based study and indigo process

This is not a fast, trend-driven class.
It is immersive and process-oriented — and fully supported.

The Mountain Setting

Held in the quiet of the North Carolina mountains, this workshop invites contemplation. Surrounded by forest and fresh air, we will practice shibori as it was meant to be practiced — with focus, stillness, and respect for the material.

You will leave with two completed pattern studies —
and something less tangible but more important:
a deeper understanding of indigo as heritage, not trend.

Note: this is part of my Signature Shibori Series and these will be different patterns than the ones taught in June)

Precision & Repetition: Pattern Language in Shibori (2-Day Intensive)