Indigo River - a mindful Shibori silk ribbon inspired by a Cornish river

by sian cornish March 10, 2021

Indigo patterned silk shibori ribbon on a wooden spool with river sticks dyed at tips with indigo

The story of the Indigo River is the story of Cornwall, cascading from the rugged granite outcrops of Bodmin Moor along its meandering path out to the coast. Told in this collection through a series of marks, made using my own adaptation of an ancient Japanese shibori technique called Arashi, the story unfolds in markings, representing movement and pattern, tidal ebb and flow, made with intention to communicate both landscape and soul.

With a strictly limited collection of only 50 metres available, each piece was dyed using true indigo under a snow laden sky.

Using beautiful Silver Birch fallen wood collected from the River Fowey, and organic cotton threads, this work embodies the river and it's many faces.

Using beautiful Silver Birch fallen wood collected from the River Fowey in Cornwall, and organic cotton threads, this work embodies the river and it's many faces. Silver Birch has strong symbolism in Celtic mythology, of new beginnings and protection. Feeling deep into the river and landscape whilst making this imbues each piece with unique markings and true soul.

Blue indigo shibori silk ribbon wrapped around a box Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria)

This is a tidal river, ever changing, inviting me for a swim on occasions, too wild and free on others, just observed from the banks.

As part II to the collection, I also channeled a deeper river, more pigmented and with hidden depths.

Used here as a wonderful hair band and tie, simply knotted for an elegant finish.

Perfurm bottle tied with indigo silk ribbon