Teaching My First Shibori Workshop: Community, Creativity, and a Little Bit of Magic

When I started Command Knitwear, one of my hopes was to share the beauty of natural dyes—not just through the garments we make, but by inviting others to take part in the process itself. This spring, I finally had the chance to do just that. I taught my first indigo Shibori dyeing workshops here in Seattle, and the experience left me feeling more connected than ever—to my community, to the craft, and to the roots of why I do this work.

Student work

The Studio

The workshops were held at Piano Nobile, a lovely architecture and textile studio tucked into the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. The studio has this warm, inviting energy that immediately makes you feel like you’re part of something special. It's located inside a historic building with tall ceilings, lots of light and old details. The team behind Piano Nobile has cultivated the perfect space to gather a community of makers. I feel so lucky to be welcomed into their space. 

Together, we transformed the studio into our own indigo laboratory, filled with curiosity, creativity, and a little bit of science. Everyone gathered around the vats, folding and binding their fabric, not quite knowing what the final result would be. That sense of anticipation and play is one of my favorite parts of the process.

The Wonder of Indigo

Indigo has always been my favorite natural dye. Unlike other plant-based dyes that utilize a typical immersion dye process, indigo involves a mixture of specific ingredients to create an environment that enables the dyeing through reduction. Our non-toxic, organic vats are made using a natural indigo powder, ferrous sulphate (iron) and calcium hydroxide (pickling lime).

What never fails to amaze me is the transformation: the moment when a dipped fabric comes out yellow, then slowly shifts to deep blue as it reacts with oxygen. It’s like watching magic unfold, right before your eyes.

Curiosity and Creativity

I’m incredibly grateful to the students who came to our first workshops. Many had never dyed before, but they arrived with so much openness and curiosity. After a quick demo of traditional Itajime Shibori techniques, they were off—experimenting, folding, clamping, and dipping with total freedom.

By the end of each class, the studio was filled with beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations—each piece completely unique to the person who made it. There’s something deeply joyful about watching people discover the rhythm of handwork and the unpredictable beauty of natural materials.

A Full-Circle Moment

Teaching these workshops reminded me why I fell in love with dyeing in the first place. There’s a kind of peace in working with your hands, creating with intention, and letting the natural world be part of the process.

In the fast-moving world of fashion and production, it's easy to get caught up in deadlines and logistics. But in that studio, surrounded by community and natural color, I felt grounded again. Teaching brought me back to the “why” behind COMMAND—connection, sustainability, beauty, and craft.

This is just the beginning. I’m looking forward to hosting more workshops in the future and continuing to share this part of my world with you. Whether you join me in the studio or wear one of our naturally dyed pieces, I hope you can feel a bit of the magic that goes into every step.

If you’re in the Seattle area and interested in learning more, stay tuned—there’s more to come.

My first time trying Shibori in my back yard (summer of 2020).