Shibori Envelope Pillow

 

Shibori Envelope Pillow

Shibori is the Japanese art of shaped resist dyeing. Fabric is dyed using a wrapping technique around PVC pipe.  This creates the resist to form the pattern in the fabric.  The flap is dyed in Rit Violet and the bottom and back are done in Rit Apple Green.  Button is dyed to match for a color coordinated look – big advantage of this user friendly dye!

  • Pillow Finished Size: 12” x 16”

Supplies Needed

  • For Dyeing

    Rit Liquid Dye: Violet & Apple Green 
    1 Yd. 45” Wide Cotton Fabric 
    1 White Button, 1” diameter 
    PVC Pipe, 4” diameter x 12” 
    Ball of Cotton Twine or Mason Line 
    Masking Tape 
    Rubber Bands 
    4-Cup Measuring Cup 
    Large Spoon 
    Rubber Gloves 
    Large Plastic Container – 3 Gallon 
    Plastic Table Cover
     

  • For Sewing

    12” x 16” Pillow Form 
    Coordinating Thread 
    Ruler & Scissors 
    Straight Pins 
    Hand Needle 
    Sewing Machine

Instructions

Preparing & Wrapping Fabric

  1. Wash and dry fabric to remove any sizing or finishes.
  2. Cut three 18” squares of fabric. Each piece of fabric will be dyed separately.
  3. Place one square of fabric on table and lay the PVC pipe even with one edge.
  4. Wrap the fabric around the pipe. Wrap a rubber band around one end to hold fabric and temporarily secure other end with masking tape. Tie end of twine around one end of fabric and pipe; make a knot. Wrap twine around pipe about every ½” for 4”. Then stop and push the wrapped fabric down to the end of the pipe where the wrapping began.

    Continue wrapping and pushing the fabric until it is all pushed down. Secure end of twine with a knot.

     

  5. Fill large container with warm water and soak wrapped fabric for several minutes.
    This will help the dye move onto the fabric more easily.
  6. Repeat this process for each square of fabric except for the Violet dyed square. Wrap this fabric square on the diagonal to give a different effect.

Preparing Dyes

Note: Cover work surface with plastic table cover. Shake liquid dyes before measuring.

Apple Green

  1. Wearing rubber gloves, pour ½ cup Apple Green dye into a 4-cup measuring cup.
    Add 4 Cups very HOT water; stir.
    If water is not very hot (140°F), heat water in the microwave or in a teapot.
  2. Fill large plastic container with 2 gallons very HOT water. Add dye solution; stir.
  3. Remove wet wrapped fabric from water and immerse in dye bath.

    Drop button in dye bath. Let set for 4 to 6 minutes. (Button may be removed before fabric.)

  4. Remove wrapped fabric from dye bath. Rinse in cool water. Remove twine from pipe. Continue rinsing fabric in warm water then gradually cooler water until water runs clear. Then launder in warm water with mild detergent. Dry flat.
  5. Repeat for second square of fabric.

Violet

  1. Wearing rubber gloves, pour ½ cup Violet dye into a 4-cup measuring cup. Add 4 cups very HOT water; stir. Continue following Step 2 above.

Sewing Pillow
Note: Sew using ½” seam allowances.

  1. Cut two 13” x 17” pieces from Apple Green fabric.
  2. Fold Violet square in half on the diagonal and cut two 17” x 10” flaps from Violet fabric (see pattern).

     
  3. Pin two Apple Green fabric pieces, right sides together. Stitch seams around sides and across one long edge. If desired, finish seam allowances on serger or stitch again and trim to ¼”. Turn right sides out and press.
  4. Pin two Violet pieces, right sides together. Stitch along short sides and around point, leaving long side open. Trim seam allowances to ¼”. Turn right sides out; press.
  5. Pin one open piece of Violet flap to one piece of Apple Green section, right sides together; stitch seam. Press seam allowances toward inside of flap.
  6. Fold remaining seam allowance on flap under ½” and pin over stitched seam allowances. Hand stitch in place.
  7. Turn under ½” under on raw edge of Apple Green piece and topstitch.
  8. Insert pillow form. Fold flap down and stitch dyed button to flap and under pillow cover.

Details