Shibori is a Japanese dyeing technique that features intricate fabric manipulation before dyeing in indigo dye. American tie-dye can trace its roots back to ancient shibori techniques. Shibori fabrics have been in the trend spotlight for about a year now, and you can use a simplified version of the process to create a pretty tablecloth for your apartment.
You can use this technique on a new tablecloth or to cover up stains on an old one. If you are handy with a sewing machine, you could even purchase inexpensive fabric and hem it when you are finished dyeing. Just be sure whatever fabric you use is made of natural fibers since synthetics do not take dye well.
To make my tablecloth, I used an old cotton tablecloth that had seen better days, dark blue Tulip dye, strong rubber bands and plastic gloves. If you buy a Tulip tie-dye kit, the gloves and rubber bands come with. You will also need some kind of long cylinder. I used a sturdy tube mailer, but PVC pipe would have worked much better.
Start by wetting the tablecloth completely and then folding it lengthwise three or four times. Wrap the folded tablecloth around the cylinder. The bottom-most layer (closest to the tube) will get the least exposure to the dye, while the top-most layer will have the most.
Wrap rubber bands around the fabric down the length of the cylinder. You might need to place the rubber bands near the end of the cloth and then scoot some more toward the middle so you’re not snapping all your rubber bands. After you have the rubber bands on, scrunch the fabric together, creating folds where the rubber bands cinch the fabric. The deeper the folds, the more distinct your tablecloth markings will be.
Traditional shibori uses indigo dye, which needs to be boiled, applied and exposed to oxygen. It is a complicated and messy process that might not work well in an apartment community. My tie-dye kit came with a squeeze bottle for the blue dye powder. All I had to do was add water, shake it and squirt the dye onto the fabric. Way less mess! I placed my shibori setup in a clean garbage bag and left the dye to work its magic overnight.
The next day, I carefully snipped off the rubber bands, unfurled the tablecloth and gave it a good rinse. Look at the pretty results! The portion of the tablecloth near the top of the chair was the section closest to the cardboard tube, so there is less dye there. After I rinsed my tablecloth until the water ran clear, I put it in the washing machine for a cycle and the dryer for a cycle.
You can even leave the tablecloth un-ironed since it has a very casual, breezy vibe anyway. You’ll see the gradient of color once the cloth is laid out on the table — the natural result of folding the cloth before wrapping it around the cylinder.
Set your summery table with plates and glasses in similarly saturated colors to complete the bold summer look.
This technique could also be used on sheets, duvets, cloth napkins and curtains so you can give every room in your house a light, airy update with just a bit of dye.
Why not serve some delicious blue cocktails on top of your beautiful blue tablecloth? Get the recipe on ForRent.com.