Explore the magic of Japanese Shibori and indigo dyeing at the Doylestown Library

The Friends of the Doylestown Library invite you 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.