Onyx Art Studios Blog

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These are my favorite items that I like to use for my indigo practice and I recommend them.  I use them throughout all my video tutorials and the sky is the limit when it comes to creativity. 

-100% Cotton Pillows (4 pack)- https://amzn.to/3xwrPnO

-100% cotton tea towels- https://amzn.to/3ybXBGT

-100% cotton masks- https://amzn.to/3xT9lxF

If you prefer to use an indigo kit this is a good one- 

-Jacquard Indigo Kit: https://amzn.to/3qaonN3

Indigo ingredients for a 2x2x1 vat

- Pre-reduced indigo- https://amzn.to/2UmMaOh

-Soda Ash- Sodium Carbonate- https://amzn.to/3vAxKqw

-Thiox- https://www.dharmatrading.com/chemicals/dharmas-dyehouse-color-remover.html

- Mask for mixing dye- https://amzn.to/3y25ej5

- Something to Stir the Vat

-Bucket 3-5 Gallons- https://amzn.to/3cQTlVi

-Synthrapol- dyers' detergent- https://amzn.to/3cSPNls

-Iron- https://amzn.to/35CKbru

-Ironing Mat- https://amzn.to/2TQ3Ml1 or

-Ironing Board- https://amzn.to/3q8CxhM

-Rubber Bands- https://amzn.to/3wIsYIL

-String- https://amzn.to/3qdSROu 

-Wooden Craft Blocks- https://amzn.to/3qdm7or

-Tongue Depressors- https://amzn.to/3gHLX0O

-Gloves-  https://amzn.to/2SaTBHo

Disclaimer: Please note that the links above are Amazon affiliate links- that means I get a commission when you buy these- at no extra cost to you. I use affiliate links on products that I have actually used. Thanks for your support.

Check out my Skillshare Classes and Online Workshops: 

How to Ice Dye for Beginners: You can get a free 14 day trial of Skillshare Premium with this link: https://skl.sh/3xKUPJf

Indigo Tie Dye Shibori for Beginners: You can get a free 14 day trial of Skillshare Premium with this link: https://skl.sh/3mPXk83 

Live Online Shibori  indigo Tie Dye for Beginners: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shibori-indigo-tie-dye-for-beginners-virtual-workshop-tickets-104093582708?keep_tld=1

The Ice Dyeing technique is so much fun and really easy.  It uses the same kind of dye as tie dye, but instead of mixing up the dye with water you use ice to mix the power dye into liquid.  I'm making color swatches with a new kit and I think they turned out so nice!  These will help me in the future when I'm picking out colors for new projects.  Color theory and placement are so important! If you have a lot of dyes in your stash then this is a good way to keep track of what they look like. There is still a lot of dye in the containers and I can't wait to make more projects.  The kit comes with soda ash and synthrapol, which is really a great value.  Soda ash fixes the dye before you apply the dye and synthrapol is known as dyers' detergent.  It helps to keep the colors from transfering from the dyed parts of the fabric and going onto the undyed parts of the fabric when washing.  

Black Tea is a great natural dye because it is pretty simple and makes a beautiful warm beige color.  Black tea is super easy to find and contains tannins so you won't have to use a mordant.  Salt is added at the end to help the tea stick to the fabric, but salt is not technically a mordant.  

Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com.  

These are the supplies I will be using in my Online Indigo Tie Dye Shibori for Beginners Class.  These are suggestions for the class and you can take the class with some or all of these supplies.  I just want to give you a heads of all the supplies I will be using so if you want to participate in real time you can.   

Jacquard Indigo Kit: https://amzn.to/3qaonN3

A couple of 100% cotton pieces to dye. (ie t-shirt, pillowcase, tea towels, apron, quilting fabric see links for some suggestions). Please wash them before dyeing this will remove all sizing oil/dirt from the fibers. 

-100% Cotton Pillows 4 pack- https://amzn.to/3xwrPnO

-100% cotton tshirt https://amzn.to/2TR2hmY

-100% cotton tea towels- https://amzn.to/3ybXBGT

Mask for mixing up dyes- https://amzn.to/3y25ej5

Bucket 3-5 Gallons- https://amzn.to/3cQTlVi

Drop Cloth https://amzn.to/3vAhFBe

Synthrapol- dyers' detergent- https://amzn.to/3cSPNls

Iron- https://amzn.to/35CKbru

Ironing Mat- https://amzn.to/2TQ3Ml1

Or Ironing Board- https://amzn.to/3q8CxhM

Rubber Bands- https://amzn.to/3wIsYIL

String- https://amzn.to/3qdSROu 

Tongue Depressors- https://amzn.to/3gHLX0O

Galvanized Nails- https://amzn.to/3wHxDLd

Paint Stirrers- https://amzn.to/3cOK7sz

Thread- https://amzn.to/3xwWgu3

Drying Rack- https://amzn.to/3gHQLmU

Scissors https://amzn.to/3qhtyLh

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 Disclaimer: Please note that the links above are Amazon affiliate links- that means I get a commission when you buy these- at no extra cost to you. I use affiliate links on products that I have actually used. Thanks for your support.

Check out my Skillshare Classes and Online Workshops: 

How to Ice Dye for Beginners: You can get a free 14 day trial of Skillshare Premium with this link: https://skl.sh/3xKUPJf

Indigo Tie Dye Shibori for Beginners: You can get a free 14 day trial of Skillshare Premium with this link: https://skl.sh/3mPXk83 

Live Online Shibori  indigo Tie Dye for Beginners: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shibori-indigo-tie-dye-for-beginners-virtual-workshop-tickets-104093582708?keep_tld=1

Supplies:

-100% Cotton Pillows 4 pack- https://amzn.to/3xwrPnO

-Pre-reduced indigo- https://amzn.to/2UmMaOh

-Soda Ash- Sodium Carbonate- https://amzn.to/3vAxKqw

-Thiox- https://www.dharmatrading.com/chemicals/dharmas-dyehouse-color-remover.html

-Bucket 3-5 Gallons- https://amzn.to/3cQTlVi

-Synthrapol- dyers' detergent- https://amzn.to/3cSPNls

-Iron- https://amzn.to/35CKbru

-Ironing Mat- https://amzn.to/2TQ3Ml1

-Ironing Board- https://amzn.to/3q8CxhM

-String- https://amzn.to/3qdSROu

-Paint Stirrers- https://amzn.to/3cOK7sz

-Drop Cloth https://amzn.to/3vAhFBe

-Scissors https://amzn.to/3qhtyLh

-Gloves- https://amzn.to/2SaTBHo

-Drying Rack- https://amzn.to/3gHQLmU

Disclaimer: Please note that the links above are Amazon affiliate links- that means I get a commission when you buy these- at no extra cost to you. I use affiliate links on products that I have actually used. Thanks for your support.

One of my favorite things to do with shibori is to use things that are not so expected- like paint stirrers!  This pattern is so much fun and looks really sophisticated!  I love the way it makes a jagged abstract stripe down the middle.  I made this pillow from a linen- but if you want to dye a ready made pillow, you can check out the link above in the supply list.  It's 100% cotton and is great for pre reduced indigo. 

I love this tie dye pattern- it's very cool looking but is very easy to get.  This pattern was made with folding and rubber bands.  The criss cross pattern looks good in multiple colors or single colors too.  I've used dark blue teal, light blue, and a coral for this pattern. 

I made some more huipiles embroidered pillows from the vintage huipiles I was gifted.  I think these are also super pretty, and they are completely one of a kind. Here's the video of my process and thoughts I had while making them.

Usually Itajime patterns are made with indigo, but I wanted to use it with tie dye colors.  I am using procion dyes (or tie dye) with this traditional Japanese pattern for a cool twist on modern tie dye.  I wanted to go with a earthy color palette- inspired by the forrest or camouflage.  I did a poll on instagram and people voted to call this color palette "Forrest Scape"  I love that name.