In January 2027, I will return to the beautiful village of Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico, where I will teach a 4-day Shibori  (Tie-Dye) workshop to 12 participants at the Centro Cultural Comunitario Teotitlán del Valle (CCCdeTV). This will be my fifth year teaching there.

Odilon Lorenzo Gonzalez (Odi) will again be my assistant and translator. His help is invaluable!
Odi will weave a special Tapete (rug) for the campaign! I always let Odi choose the design and colors for the tapetes. The dye colors come from plants that he harvests from his garden and the surrounding area.
Below are the tapetes from the 2025 and 2026 campaigns. I can't wait to see what he does for the 2027 campaign. It is always the best surprise!

I volunteer my time and supply all the materials. The CCCdeTV donates the space and asks participants to pay a small fee to the Community Center to help cover overhead costs.  CCCdeTV is a volunteer-run organization, and the committee changes every two years. All members of the governing committee are women! https://www.facebook.com/CCCTeotitlan/

We had a long waitlist last year, so I decided to run the same Shibori workshop in 2027.

This is a two-part workshop. Participants will first learn to make an Indigo/Ferrous Vat. At the end of the workshop, they will take their vats home, so they can continue creating. The Indigo/Ferrous Vat is an excellent option for dyeing cotton. It is a “cold” vat, meaning no heat is needed, and gives intense, dark blues.

Each participant will receive a Shibori Kit to keep!
Shibori is the Japanese term for creating a resist on cloth by folding, clamping, stitching, wrapping, pleating, knotting, or tying. The resist areas will not take dye, thus creating a pattern on the cloth. These techniques are utilized around the world and have been done for centuries. They are used in West Africa, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, and South America, to name a few. The technique is also known as Adire, Amarra, Bandhani, Jumputan, Mudmee, Plangi, Tikrit, and Zha Ran. I am excited to share this ancient craft. 

After preparing the indigo/ferrous vat, it will rest overnight. The participants will begin shaping their cotton cloth, practicing a variety of Shibori techniques. They will then dye their samples in the indigo/ferrous vats multiple times to achieve a deep blue color. Each participant will create 15 samples. Finally, they will work on a project that showcases their favorite techniques learned during the workshop.

Peru provides some of the earliest evidence of tie-dye, dating back to 100-200 B.C. It's easy to envision that some of these textiles made their way to what is now Mexico. Oaxaca and other regions of Mexico boast a rich textile history, featuring natural dyeing and resist techniques that are deeply intertwined with indigenous Zapotec traditions.

Learning a new way to make an indigo vat adds to one’s knowledge base. Teaching techniques that can help economically is important. Learning Shibori will allow the participants the opportunity to create new products.

How will the money be used?
Airfare, food, lodging, my translator, and transportation in Oaxaca
All materials for the workshop. This workshop requires specific materials; I will pack some in my suitcase and will purchase others in Oaxaca.
 
Many of you are already familiar with my work over the past 18 years, during which I have traveled and taught free workshops to local artisans around the world. I am incredibly grateful to continue this important work, which is made possible by crowdfunding.  Your generous support is essential to make it happen!

To learn more about me: https://lindalabelle.com/about-2

There are many lovely rewards available!!

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