Mexico 2016

The 10th International Shibori Symposium gave us the excuse to go to Mexico and led us to spend 10 days in Oaxaca.

First we had 3 days of workshops in an old cotton factory in the hills; I had courses on itajime shibori (clamp resists) and on extracting a range of colours from safflowers.

That was followed by days of academic papers (such as the history of the poncho and Moorish influences on Spanish head gear imported into Mexico), demonstrations (of dyeing with the local cochineal beetles), exhibitions and various receptions. Participants were a mix of fashion designers and hobbyists. Mainly American and 95% women.