Stitched Shibori Dyeing

I've had a mild obsession with Shibori dye techniques lately and thought I would try my hand at a stitched detail.

The concept is to make a pattern with a simple running stitch, then pull the thread to synch it into a tight gather. This should keep the dye from reaching the center of the stitched detail leaving a radiating pattern.

Also, I clamped solid objects like washers, pennies, etc around the stitching which will leave a pattern when it's removed from the dye bath.

OK, well, that's the theory on Shibori dyeing. In reality, it turns out that maybe my fabric or thread should have been a bit thicker because the spiral pattern didn't come out as pronounced as I'd hoped. So I guess it's back to the drawing board. The washers were super easy and effective. I'm sure to use them again.

All was not lost though...
in the next project I chop up these samples and make pretty little Kanzashi Flowers!