technique – process

through the window – softly

although I would have loved to take more pictures of Bryan’s work

and I know you would love to see it

the work, the designs, the idea are his

he was just too busy to ask permission

I know it is common practice to help yourself to anything in the public domain

old-fashioned, maybe, but I don’t feel comfortable doing that

this work did not start with a quick trip to the local fabric shop

with very fine yarns, the fabric is first knitted (see Bryan’s blog)

or in some pieces old fabrics are re-cycled

patterns are designed and stencils cut from handmade paper treated with persimmon tannin

rice paste resist is handmade, applied and dried

 many of the fabrics also include shibori

the dyes are two of the most labour intensive natural dye techniques

indigo

kakishibu, applied over several days and baked in the sun

only after all of this is it necessary to decide what to make with such precious fabric

and then put it together

an understanding of the process aids in a greater appreciation of the art