Shibori with Indigo Blue Hawaii

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Listen to the episode above about my experience of discovering Shibori with Helen of Indigo Blue Hawaii.

Meeting Helen of Indigo Blue Hawaii

A few months ago, I visited the Farmer’s Market in Waimea and on our way back to Kona, we stopped by the Waimea Habitat for Humanity and discovered a maker’s event that happens there every Saturday. An artist inside escorted me to a shed outside filled with blue cloths blowing in the wind.

Kindness, Beauty & Miso Soup

Helen sat me down and started showing me her art and then offered me a cup of miso soup. There was no charge for the miso and I soon learned that Helen wanted to share her art and community with others. Her kindness overwhelmed me, something so simple as miso soup while being surrounded by beautiful tye-dyed indigo, Shibori.

Shibori Tye Dy

Shibori takes the concept of tye-dye even further. You’re not only being spontaneous, but you can control the outcome with a series of geometric shapes and patterns based on traditional Japanese methods. It can be perfected or it can be enjoyed in the moment.

Science Behind Shibori

After you’ve picked the natural indigo leaf, there is a process where the blue happens. You ferment the leaf in water with a mordant such as iron and calcium that allows the indigo to break down.

The dye appears green until you lift your item out of the vat. The oxygen transforms it from being green to blue.

Helen has worked with her recipe for over 10 years. As she adds more indigo into her older vat, it shifts in color and she can manipulate how she wants the end result to be, but there is always still an element of surprise.

How Can You do Shibori Tye-Dye at Home?

Go to any craft store (or Amazon) and you can find a Jacquard Indigo Tye Dye Kit. ll you need is a 5-gallon bucket, a stick and a lid and you’re well on your way. Find natural cotton, silk, linen or lace and start on your own vat at home.

You may find yourself with a beautiful Shibori creation like the one shown below.

The Ultimate Experience: Shibori with Helen of Indigo Blue Hawaii

If you are up for a very unique experience, reach out to Helen, and schedule time with her in Waimea to learn various beginner and advanced Shibori techniques. She wants others to experience Shibori hands-on and she offers a free opportunity for others to learn with her over a cup of soup.

She can usually be found in her shed on Saturdays at the Waimea Habitat for Humanity from 10 – 2 PM. Call 808.937.1705 to schedule a personal studio session.