My 5 Favorite Shibori Folds

Shibori is a trendy and cool folding technique for tie-dye and I take you through 5 of my very favorites for any tie dye you plan to do.

While you’re here you may like to check out my dyeing page where I have all sorts of information about natural dye and synthetic dye. With indigo, you don’t need an alum bath, but with all other forms, you will. So don’t miss that post either! If you want to get started with a simple natural dye, I suggest turmeric.

This is probably one of my most requested videos. I LOVE tie-dyeing. I have tried dyeing without tying it off and I just never love it as much. Also, good news for those of you who want to utilize clothespins. Here are my favorite shibori patterns involving clothespins. Part of the art is seeing the gorgeous patterns. No two are EVER the same.

Let’s get into the detailed folds! Below I have linked the part of the video where I demonstrate the fold I’ve given you the step-by-step for. 

Shibori Folds

Galaxy Style

This is by far the most popular style right now! If you buy something tie dyed at the store this is likely how they did it. 

 

1. Lay your fabric out flat.
2. Scrunch the fabric into a ball.
3. To get more color tie it loosely, for more color keep more fabric out. 

Diamond Pattern

 

1. Accordion fold your fabric
2. Fold the small edge down to create a triangle and fold a triangle using the same accordion style. Like a flag!
3. Secure with a rubberband.

Square Pattern

 

1. Accordion fold your fabric
2. Accordion fold from the top to create a square.
3. Secure with a rubberband.

Wave Pattern

 

1. Lay your fabric out flat.
2. Grab a random place on the middle of your fabric and lift it up.
3. Secure with a rubberband along the fabric you are holding.
4. If you’d like multiple waves, do it again.

Diagonal Center Stripe

 

1. Lay your fabric flat.
2. Fold your fabric from one corner to the other into a triangle.
3. Accordion fold the fabric along the hypotenuse. 
4. Secure the rubber band on the place you have tightly folded the long edge of the triangle.

These are all swaddles featured in this video! If you love them be sure to follow my Instagram account when I create new ones. (They go SO fast!)

Now you know how to fold the fabric. If you want to do the full indigo dye technique, the tutorial is here.