Traditional and classic, yet modern and refined: that pretty much sums up the Japanese aesthetic. Shibori is a traditional Japanese tie-dye method. Indigo was one of the natural dyes most commonly used in traditional Shibori, which is one of the reasons why a lot of Shibori napkins you see will have that nice rich indigo hue. However, the Shibori technique does not limit itself to any one color, pattern, or dye.
Shibori was used on different types of fabrics for a range of uses but in Japan, tea towels became one of the most popular materials to apply the technique. The popularity of Shibori tea towels thus took off. In Japan, tea towels are not just thought of as kitchen tools but also as a clever, creative, and sustainable means of wrapping gifts! Using Shibori napkins to wrap your gifts this season will add a personal touch, and will cut down on all that paper waste created during the holidays. The wrapper becomes part of the gift.
As it is a tie dye technique, Shibori rarely comes out exactly the same way twice. That means each Shibori item will be one of a kind. If you are looking for more uniformity in your collection of tea towels, Shibori might not be for you. If you prefer nuance, subtly, and wabi-sabi in your decor, then you are going to love Shibori. Shibori is also appealing because it has a natural look and feel. It can soften a place that is otherwise cool and modern, but without being too kitch or country. Yet Shibori also brightens up a home that does boast classic, vintage, or country design.
You could DIY or you could take the easy way out and buy readymade Shibori napkins. Shhhh. No one will know the difference. Shibori is always a crowd-pleaser. Whether for yourself or as a gift (or wrapper!), you really can’t go wrong with Shibori.