The Friends of the Doylestown Library invite you to this free program to experience the excitement and beauty of Shibori—the Japanese technique of hand-dyeing with indigo. Presenter Sue Fox Mitrano will talk about the history, culture and production of the craft on Sept. 13 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Her slideshow includes embedded video clips of her process, examples of inspiration, and ideas for using Shibori fabrics. On display will be samples in various stages of production. Post discussion, Sue will lead an interactive paper folding exercise to illustrate how the technique works. All attendees are welcome to participate.
For Mitrano, the 1,300-year-old Shibori technique is as versatile as it is beautiful. She designs new and traditional Japanese patterns through folding, sewing, clamping and otherwise manipulating the fabric to produce artful pieces in a beautiful range of blues. Results: a unique pattern every time, depending on temperature, dye intensity and fabrics used. On her website, bluefoxstudio.net, she states, “I’m inspired by the unique combination of control and surprise and have a great respect for the masters that honed these techniques centuries ago.” A longtime lover of printmaking, she discovered Shibori dyeing in the summer of 2021 and was drawn to the “less controlled” aspect of it. “It requires letting go, a bit scary, but wonderfully freeing,” she said.
Mitrano teaches workshops at her own Blue Fox Studio in Titusville, New Jersey, and her hand-dyed pieces can be found in boutique shops and museum stores from Provincetown to Princeton, including the store at the Michener Art Museum.
Pre-registration is requested by emailing: friendsofdoylestownlibrary@gmail.com. This program supports civic and social literacy.
The Friends of the Doylestown Library is a non-profit organization, supporting the Doylestown Library, which strives to align its programs to the five literacies of PA Forward, the Pennsylvania Library Association’s 21st Century Literacies Initiative. Visit the Friends of the Doylestown Library online at friendsofdtownlibrary.org, on Facebook at Doylestown Library Friends, or on Instagram at Dtownfriends.
