Saturday 13 October 2012

dyeing

On friday morning I decided to produce some more coloured fabric.  I call it dyeing but it is just colouring cotton with silk paints. Have not mastered the art of dyes      yet!

I usually dampen the fabric slightly then sponge on the silk paint, sometimes watered down to make it go further,  like to use more than one colour, it does not always come out as I would like as when the colours bleed into each other things can go wrong!  On the samples I have posted here most have had rock salt sprinkled onto them to make the colour run into the salt which produces lovely patterns.





These pieces I use to do some of the tast stitches on but now I am doing a bit of crazy patchwork they will be popping up there as well.


I have also been playing with a small block  6" quite a lot of tatting, think I will remove the pink gathered ribbon,  have my crazy blocks pinned onto a board so I can stand back and look,   admire is not the right word! The 4 other blocks posted the other day will remain on the boad till I feel more confident


14 comments:

Pippas quilts said...

Morning Margaret the fabric looks fabulous the salt really has added another dimension, look forward to see these being used. I think you are right about removing the gathered ribbon the rest looks great, especially the tatting.

Annet said...

Your fabric looks gorgeous, Margaret!

Marjolein said...

I think you are very brave to try to "dye" your fabrics. I would not, unless very and I mean very very needed.
Your block looks lovely. I agree with you to remove the ribbon. The tatted JK cascade looks lovely.

Judith said...

I love your fabrics Margaret. I too have never actually used dyes - other than tea and rust but often use fabric paints and silk paints. I love the effect that the salt has given.
PS I'll be at both the Creative Crafts fair on Thursday and the Lace Fair on Saturday. I'll try to watch out for you. It would be good to meet up.

motidana said...

Loved your dyed blocks. The effect in salt technique is amazing. looking forward to seeing the blocks after you have embellished them

Judith said...

First 'met' on Stitchin' Fingers and yes, Saturday would be easier to meet up. I'll be with two other friends and should be at the lace fair by 10am. Email me to make definite arrangements. Judith

JennyPennyPoppy said...

The dyed fabric turned our really well Margaret and the salt certainly gives a really nice effect. Your CQ block is looking great!

shirley said...

Your fabrics turned out terrific and will enhance your embroideries and crazy patch blocks.

Claudia said...

Wow-your dyed fabrics look great! I like them! The tatting on your block looks wonderful!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Your fabrics look great. I like the effect the rock salt gives them.

Your CQ block is lovely. I've never tried to make one. They scare me and I hate using a sewing machine.

Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind comment. I look forward to learning more from your blog as I can see you are very talented. I have much to learn.

I way far behind in TAST.

FlowerLady Lorraine

Little Dotty Bird said...

I'm a bit slow but only just realised I wasn't following you! Sorry for the delay! I love the crazy quilting square..but I am a bit dotty about dots! and the salt effect on the fabric is really good too..I'm only just venturing into fabric painting/dying. Love the tatting! I must practice my embroidery...so many things so little time! x

Monica said...

Hi Margaret,

One of the blogs I follow is Kitty and Me Designs by Pam Kellogg. She makes some very rich crazy quilts, and she is about to start a course in colour and design of crazy quilts. You can take as many or as few classes as you like. If you are feeling stuck, this may get you unstuck!

You can find the link in my profile. Happy stitching!

Elizabeth Braun said...

I like those dyed pieces (and the block, of course). I keep meaning to do some dyeing as well...

Stitching Lady said...

Your dyed pieces are looking fantastic - you will have fun to sew with them - they are so much more fun to work with than with commercial prints.