Exhibition: Cloth of Time by Yutaka Obuchi
Loop of the Loom invites you to "Cloth of Time", a one-month event delving deep into the connection between ancient dyes, cloth, and humans.
Yutaka Obuchi, one of the world's few Bengala dye craftsmen and artists, will be invited from Japan to New York to hold five workshops including a lecture and exhibition of his work.
“My daily work is making pigments.
From the soil, I dye cloth, with the colors I've created.
Everyday I grind with care,
with mortar and pestle
till the particles are fine,
imaging as I work how they will intertwine with the fibers.
With fire produces various color through changes in temperature
This is the way of Bengala.
Yellow, orange, vermilion, red, burnt sienna…
When dyeing, I move my hands gently, vibrating the particles of soil tenderly.
Sometimes, I must knead with vigor, entwining the dye with fibers, a delicate embrace.
Working with hand is a dialogue with the materials.
With a gentle touch, the colors respond with grace,
With a troubled mind, the colors won't find their place.
Each day, I seek a tranquil mind,
as difficult as that may be.
What I hold dear is that I give my all in everything I do.
Embracing the wisdom from our ancestors,
Beyond mere fashion, beyond mere business,
Our ancestors crafted cloth for their children and loved ones,
dyeing and weaving by hand.
What humans devote to their craft is beautiful and brimming with life.
Tying, binding, folding, tapping, and dyeing the cloth.
The layers of processes absorb into the cloth creating a cloth of time, a cloth with soul.
From Japanese traditional skills to the ancient handcrafts of the world,
I embrace the spirit of the beautiful hand made which is disappearing.
To you and our children, I pass this textile art.
Marking new times, together, with our hands.”
Yutaka Obuchi
Earth Color Dye Lab: Open Studio Workshops
Start time: 11am-, 1pm-, 3:30pm-
Class length: 60-90 minutes
Bengala Mud Dye & Itajime Shibori Workshop
DESIGN YOUR PILLOWCASES FOR A SWEET SUMMER DREAM!
Bengala is one of the oldest natural dye techniques. This ancient method has received a lot of attention from urban dyers as an eco-friendly textile dye, because it is made of sustainable minerals from the soil.
In this workshop, learn the beautiful Bengala fabric dyeing method and create two pillowcases and one tenugui cloth within two hours! Also, the instructor will teach you how to make various Japanese itajime-shibori (wood plate color resisting) techniques. Freely improvise the patterns with 12 colors of Bengala dye and Aijo-indigo blue.
No toxic chemicals, no heat involved. You will create truly one-of-a-kind sleep goods which are gentle on your skin in earthy soft colors and will bring you good sleep and comfort.
Saturday, Aug 17
2:00pm - 4:30pm
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Fee: $150
includes all materials (two 100% cotton pillowcases and a Japanese tenugui cloth to dye)
Bengala Yarn & Fiber Dye Workshop
Announcing the gathering workshop for fiber lovers – weavers, knitters, dyers, anyone interested! No sweat Bengala yarn dye method!
Create your own color for yarns or fibers with gorgeous natural Bengala color! Ombre, dip, paint, ikat, tie-dye... there is no end with this easy Bengala dyeing!
Bring your yarn from home*** or choose the beautiful undyed yarns from our shop at the beginning of the workshop.
Friday, Aug 16
Join us between 4:00pm - 7:30pm
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Fee: $70
Material cost (Yarn* + Dye**) is separated by the volume of your yarn.
* Purchase the material yarn at the workshop from our wide selection of merino wool, organic cotton, linen, ramie, silk, roving wool, etc. The price is about $20 per skein. If you'd like to dye for warp threads, please ask us for the preparation.
** The cost of Bengala dye will be charged $10 per 100g(=3.5oz) of yarn.
*** If you'd like to bring yarn from home, please pre-wash beforehand.
Kakishibu Tannin Dye Workshop
Introducing a new product from Loop of the Loom! Kakishibu dye is made from persimmon juice is a representative natural dye of Japan as much as indigo. Kakishibu had been used for everyday goods because strengthens the fiber and makes it waterproof. After dyeing, the amber color deepens by oxidization. Dye two zipper pouches and stain with Kakishibu.
You can take home a pack of Kakishibu dye to make it even darker.
Fee & Materials: $80
Workshop Cancellation Policy : if you cancel...,
48 hours prior : fully refundable or credit toward to other class & services
1 day advance : 50% credit toward to other class & services
No show at venue : Non refundable
Bengala & Indigo Dye Ito-shibori for Yarn or Cloth Workshop
More variations for Bengala dyeing! Not just using rubber bands, we use threads to make more patterns to dye. There are 100 shibori patterns in Japan. We will practice the way to tie with thread and learn how to dye with Bengala in the same workshop. We provide the pre-fixed cotton cloth (45" x 2 yards) to dye.
If you will dye yarn, please contact us for preparation. You can purchase at the workshop as well.
Fee & Materials: $100
We supply 12 colors of Bengala plus Aijozome-Indigo color in the workshop. And a pre-fixed 45" width x 2-yard cotton fabric will be provided.
Workshop Cancellation Policy : if you cancel...,
- 48 hours prior : fully refundable or credit toward to other class & services
- 1 day advance : 50% credit toward to other class & services
- No show at venue : Non refundable
Bengala & Indigo Dye Itajime-shibori Workshop
Join the fascinating sustainable dye workshop! The informative lecture about Bengala will be accompanied by a demonstration. In this workshop, you'll learn how to dye fabric with the natural earthy color of Bengala dye to make a fresh home decor! Choose a pattern from various Japanese traditional shibori design. You can freely arrange the patterns with 12 colors of Bengala and indigo blue. We provide a 36" x 1 yard Linen/Rayon fabric. The finished fabric will be perfect for a table runner, placemats, a pillowcase, etc. Non-toxic dye. No gloves necessary.
Fee & Materials: $100
We supply 12 colors of Bengala plus Aijozome-Indigo color in the workshop. And a 36"x 1 yard fabric (Linen 55% Rayon 45%) can be cut to your own size.
Workshop Cancellation Policy : if you cancel...,
- 48 hours prior : fully refundable or credit toward to other class & services
- 1 day advance : 50% credit toward to other class & services
- No show at venue : Non refundable
Bengala's Itajime Shibori & Tsutsugaki Dye Workshop
Learn 3 techniques in one day!
Join the fascinating sustainable dye workshop. You'll learn how to dye fabric with Bengala using a Japanese Itajime-shibori technique and a Tsutsugaki-zome technique.
One of a Japanese traditional dye technique, Tsutsugaki dye is a new class at Loop of the Loom. It's a color resist-dye method using a paste. We will start hand-drawing with the paste over a tenugui cloth, then color with a brush. The paste will be dried during the afternoon workshop. We will dye the Tsutsugaki pasted cloth in the end of the workshop.
Itajime-shibori technique make an amazing design even you are a beginner. After a short lecture and demo of sustainable dye method, you will make your own patterned tenugui cloth with a step by step instructions. A bonus project is your choice of a wool scarf, a cotton pillowcase, or tablecloth. Make a handmade gift for coming holidays. Hurry to register! Space is limited.
Fee: $160 (Max Enrollment Reached)
includes 12 Bengala dye colors, Indigo dye, 2 pre-fixed tenugui cloths, and a wool scarf.
Additional materials will be available for sale at the workshop.
Workshop Cancellation Policy : if you cancel...,
- 48 hours prior : fully refundable or credit toward to other class & services
- 1 day advance : 50% credit toward to other class & services
- No show at venue : Non refundable
Bengala & Indigo Dye Itajime-Shibori Workshop
Join the fascinating sustainable dye workshop! The informative lecture about Bengala will be accompanied by a demonstration. In this class, you'll learn how to dye fabric with Bengala and make your own patterned fabric, using Japanese wooden panels for Itajime-shibori.
We supply 12 colors of Bengala plus Aijozome-Indigo color in the workshop. You'll design your own fabric!
Fee: $100
includes Bengala dye colors, indigo dye, a pre-fixed tenugui cloth, and a larger cotton fabric.
Optional to purchase: We offer various materials from silk scarves to hand-spun organic cotton shawls to dye at the same time to take home.
Workshop Cancellation Policy : if you cancel...,
- 48 hours prior : fully refundable or credit toward to other class & services
- 1 day advance : 50% credit toward to other class & services
- No show at venue : Non refundable
Optional Bengala Workshop Tsutsugaki Dye
Come early for the main workshop and learn an extra technique!
We introduce a Japanese traditional dye technique called "Tsutsugaki" dye
which is a new class at Loop of the Loom.
It is a color-resisting dye method using a natural paste. It takes about
the cloth while you take a lunch break and afternoon workshop*. You can dye
over your color-resting paste during the Bengala workshop.
Come early and learn another new technique! on the Same Day.
We introduce a Japanese traditional dye technique called "Tsutsugaki" dye which is a new class at Loop of the Loom.
It's a color resist dye method using a natural paste. This class starts at 11:00 am. It takes about one-hour for drawing with the paste over a tenugui cloth. Dry the paste on the cloth while you take a lunch break and afternoon workshop. You can dye the cloth in the Bengala workshop.
Bengala & Indigo Dye Workshop in Berkeley
Loop of the Loom will bring a Bengala Workshop to Norther California this summer! This special workshop is hosted by SAORI Berkeley.
Fee:
$60 (includes one pre-fixed Japanese tenugui cloth, pre-fixer)
Materials Cost:
Bengala dyes --- Your choice from 12 colors, $10/65ml
Indigo dye (optional) --- $24/100ml
Any yarns from SAORI Berkeley (optional) --- $3/oz
Cotton scarf (optional) --- $20
Workshop Description:
Short talk about Bengala dyeing by Yukako SatoneDemonstration of Itajime-shibori (color resist dyeing)
Dye together using Itajime-shibori technique with the tenugui cloth.
ork on the individual dyeing project with other fabrics, roving, skeins and/or warps.
Other Details:
Please bring: several flat bottom bowls; several old towels; apron; rubber/latex gloves; jars to take leftover dyes home.
engala products are for sale at the workshop
Reservation:
$30 deposit by June 25th (payable to Lynn Harris)
Contact:
SAORI Berkeley at weave@saoriberkeley.com or (510) 527-5909.
1732 Beverly Place, Berkeley, CA
Bengala & Shibori Dye Workshop
Admission: $40
* Additional dye cost: $15 per 100 gram of material.
* Call for reservation or constant@loopoftheloom.com
Silk scarf ($14), Cotton scarf ($14-), Tote bag ($12-) Organic cotton baby blanket ($50), T-shirt and more.
Read more about Bengala Dye on our website.
Bengala dyeing is a perfect craft activity in summer. Dry the dyed fabric under the sun. You can wear it in no time. It will block the UV rays with the same minerals found in physical sunscreen when you wrap your body with a scarf or cover over a baby's body.