Fail Friday: Shibori Dyeing

Happy Friday! You’ve almost made it to the weekend, and that means its time for some humor at my expense in this week’s episode of Fail Friday! Regular failure is considered a learning opportunity here at Casa Sarah, so let’s dive right in and see what lessons I’ve learned this week!

A few weeks ago, I signed up for a Shibori Dyeing blog tour. I had only the vaguest idea what shibori dying was, but I knew that I loved blog tours and the opportunity to learn a new skill, so I typed my name in, confident that I’d be able to figure out the dyeing thing. I mean, how hard could it be?

Well, I did figure it out. Mostly. To make it more fun, I invited a dear friend and her children over for a shibori party, and we all happily stirred, banded and soaked our fabrics and tee shirts, and then lined up for a turn to dunk our creations in the dye bath.

This is where it gets messy. Unfortunately, the size small nitrile gloves that come with the kit only go up to one’s wrist. It’s pretty much impossible to manage your children and properly agitate your fabric without letting the dye bath into the gloves- despite my best efforts it just snuck in! No big deal I thought, I’ll just wash it off.

Ummmm…..I’ve washed alot of dishes since then, and I’m still very, very blue.

In hindsight, a much longer glove would have been a better choice- one I encourage you to make if you attempt this project (which you should, the fabric looks awesome!).

I’m really, really hoping this isn’t permanent. But in the meantime, grab yourself a fun shibori dye kit, some tee shirts or fabric, and some LONG rubber gloves and join the party! My blog post will go live on Monday, so make sure to check back then! And remember, if I have blue hands in all my photos for the next month (or year!) , it was for a good cause.

The kit that I used is available HERE.

I’ll do a full post about my process, but you can find fabrics appropriate for dyeing (natural fibers work best) at Organic Cotton Plus! or purchase pre made T shirts from Amazon HERE. Don’t forget the big gloves!

You can check out my other (growing) list of Fail Friday and Tip Tuesday posts HERE.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. With your purchase a small amount goes back to  me so I can learn (and fail!) right along with you!

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5 Comments

  1. Melissa E of mahlicadesigns on July 21, 2017 at 8:57 am

    Oh Sarah, I’m giggling a little that dyeing your hands is considered a fail. I’d put it in the goof up category, because the end product turned out so nicely.

    • Sarah on July 21, 2017 at 8:58 am

      Thanks Melissa! It’s just that there isn’t a day of the week that starts with “G”….and it does make me look very, very strange!

  2. Auschick on July 21, 2017 at 10:42 am

    Oh goodness!! When I was in highschool I went on a mission trip to Thailand. I bought some blue leather sandals and they completely stained my feet. Every time we went inside a building we had to take our shoes off. I got so many comments, laughs, points, stares that trip!

    • Sarah on July 21, 2017 at 12:21 pm

      That’s so funny! I’m right there with ya!

  3. Stacie on July 22, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Well at least the fabric looks awesome! Really been wanting to try this. Looking forward to reading about it Monday.

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