The magic and beauty of Shibori

The program on "Shibori. Making marks with shaped resist dyeing," presented by fiber artist, Veronica Hofman-Ortega, held attendees captivated at the July Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild meeting. Ms. Hofman-Ortega's multimedia presentation and trunk show provided numerous examples of pattern, texture and the visual exuberance that can only be achieved with the shaped resist dye techniques of shibori.

Fiber artist, Veronica Hofman-Ortega, shows her arashi shibori sample
and talks about other examples of shibori patterns and techniques
during her presentation and trunk show.

"Shibori is a timeless and very versatile art form with limitless possibilities," said Veronica. "All aspects of the fabrics, technique, dye sequence as well as the serendipity of the dye bath work in concert to achieve the resulting patterns."

Along with her multimedia presentation, Veronica showed pieces from her wearable art collection, including a shibori wool vest she created based on Rachel Clark's "Picture This" vest pattern, and the mokume shibori jacket and silk dupioni "Power of Panthera Leo" vest that was published with her article, "Compliments of the Dye Pot," in Belle Armoire magazine in 2011.

Veronica displays her shibori wool vest using the "Picture This" vest
pattern by indie designer, Rachel Clark.
Veronica's collection of shibori artwear is shown at left.

Left: "Power of Panthera Leo" vest, Best of Show at the 2010 Guild Challenge.
Right: Two shibori techniques with appliqué Angelina fibers on a raw silk vest.

Never disappointed with the results of the shibori process, Ms. Hofman-Ortega encourages her audience to "Embrace the serendipity!" and enjoy the magic and organic beauty of shibori.

Mokume stitch resist technique on a raw silk jacket.

More of Veronica's fiber art adventures can be found on her web site, FiberAnticsbyVeronica.com. Veronica offered her recommendations on shibori resources here:


Also visit the World Shibori Network.

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Show and Tell

Guild members shared their fiber art creations during Show and Tell.

Mary's crochet shawl.

Martha's version of the crochet shawl.

Left: A striped knit shawl. Right: Hannah's crochet necklace.

Knit shawl detail.

Tia shows the loom made by her husband.

Crocheted baby tutu.

Pocket Particulars video and Sit-n-Stitch

"Pocket Particulars," with Sandra Betzina, was the feature film at the July Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild meeting. Guild members brought community service projects and other WIPs (works in progress) to work on during the video presentation. The "Pocket Particulars" video provided ideas and sewing tips on various pocket treatments for garments. "The Power of the Pocket" is the theme of this year's Guild Challenge.

Knit and crochet strips are being assembled into lap afghans for the guild's community service project (left). Beautiful silk painted pieces were presented (right). Show and Tell included hand spun beaded yarn and an exquisite needlepoint piece (below).

What fiber art project is on your loom, needles or hooks?

Visit an upcoming meeting of the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild and tell us all about it. New members are always welcome.

Guild Challenge: a call to Pocket creativity

With the beginning of the new year comes new inspiration, programs and a Guild Challenge for the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild.

At the January guild meeting, stitch patterns and techniques for knitted lap afghans were presented for the guild's community service project. Members have the option to knit sampler-style strips using several "reversible" stitch patterns or to knit strips with an overall texture.

Guild members were also invited to kindle their creativity with participation in a Guild Challenge. Inspired by the theme for the 2010 Tennessee Presents Textiles wearable art show, the guild's "The Power of the Pocket" Challenge issues a call to action—and originality—with the creation of a wearable art garment.

Who can argue with a few of the Top 10 Reasons for Participating in a Guild Challenge:

• It's an opportunity to try a new technique, material, pattern, etc..
• It's fun! You can be as creative, conventional or unconventional as you want.
• It sharpens your analytical as well as your artistic skills.
• It gives you a reason to do your "fiber thing!"
• It provides "justification" to buy more yarn, thread, fabric ...
• And, it offers one of the greatest motivating factors for making and completing a project—a deadline!

Show and Tell at the January meeting included knit, woven and felted scarfs, garments and wall pieces.