About the Craft
The Craft of Clamp and Dye
Itajime is a traditional Japanese resist-dyeing technique that creates patterns through folding, clamping, and dyeing fabric. The name combines “ita” (board) and “jime” (to press or clamp).
The folded fabric is sandwiched between shaped clamps — often square, circular, or triangular — and then immersed in dye. The result is a symmetrical pattern that emerges once the clamps are removed, defined by precise geometric lines.
Unlike tie-dye’s organic forms, Itajime reflects control and structure, celebrating balance between craft and design.
