Resists

Resists are used in the decoration of fabrics to control the placement of dye or paint to create imagery, intricate patterning, and interesting dye effects. There are many resist types and techniques, some as old as dyeing itself and some brand new with undiscovered potential.

A resist may be a liquid substance that penetrates and solidifies on the cloth, forming an insoluble barrier that stops the flow of dye and can preserve a whole area of fibre during the dyeing process. Liquid resists may be from natural or synthetic sources and can be water based or solvent based. This kind of resist is used in the technique of batik, katazome, and often used in silk painting.

A resist may also be a physical manipulation of the cloth as in the case of Shibori where methods of tying, stitching, folding or clamping secures areas to remain unaffected in the dyeing process.

See our Resists Instructional Sheet for more details.