Wash Out

Although it looks like a recent drowning, this is my overflow fabric seeking another wash sink. I'm so glad I put in a second tub, so that I have three tubs in which to do the preliminary HOT wash. Yes, my heater is dialed up.

Plain O' Dyeing

I've got a project to decorate table squares for an upcoming event. So, I've dyed some damask linen table cloths in a range of coral to magenta. It takes the dye beautifully, and the linen has a grand feel. Now to do more.

Good To Cut

I often tell people to just cut it up. And then I come across that unusual piece myself. Okay, evidence that it's to be cut and used. Can do.

Old Dye Days

I'm getting ready to do some discharge this weekend, and so make up some dark fabrics with old dyes, (few years on the shelf) trying to experiment with dark color changes. I'll also use these fabrics to stamp with textile paint. That shipment is due tomorrow.

Not the Cristo Gates...

...but rather a batch of predyed (but not fixed) fabric hanging on the line. You can see a bit of breeze came up to cause me grief. I've waited for weeks, and took a chance here, but suffered the wave and flap, and some fling of dye. I'm still waiting for a calm day.

Trio on the Line

Can you stand more hand prints? I've washed these three with linen prints, and the lint is akin to the cottonwood trees, only stuck to the fabric. I'm hoping to have the wind shake some off, then will rewash if need be. Geeeesh.

From One, Many

It always surprises me that I can get so many variations in color from one yard of my shibori dyed fabric. I'll pack this up and take with me to my St. Albans, Vermont lecture and class this weekend. To sell, of course.

I Only Iron Fabric

As a kid, I was given the task to iron. Mostly I burned the handkerchiefs. Now it is rare to iron clothes, and last summer's blouses are silently waiting. My hand-dyes come first.

Underdye Underdogs

The "underdye" is my name for treating the fabric with dye using no soda ash or mordant. I'll roll these on pvc pipes, and then shibori dye them. This is garish color, but the results are luscious. You'll see.

If This, Then That

Chunking through the meters. (Not to worry about the color -- the dark will yield beautiful violet.) With dyeing comes washing. And washing, and washing.

In the Zone

Time has no accounting when I am moving dye around fabric. I suspect that this is how any addict feels, like a runner who has struck her stride, or a reader who is completely engaged in a book.

Back to the Dye Pots

Why do they even call them "dye pots." Seems so archaic. Let's just say they are buckets of dye. And very messy. Which is why I meet people who say "I'll gladly purchase your dyed fabric, 'cause I don't want to do that myself."

Fall Color To Dye For

Give me a 71 degree day (with low wind) and I'll be hanging my underpainted fabric. And like a squirrel who stores nuts for later, I'll shibori in the winter. For now, I'm lovin' fall.

'Speriment

I've had this blue dyed fabric "washing out" for over a week. I switch out the water each time I dump the dehumidifier. The rinse water is fairly clear by now. Wonder what happens if the cotton is wet for this long. That's my 'speriment.

Little Coffins of Dye

Well, that is just what they look like. I went over to my neighborhood Ace Hardware to pick up some plastic trays to try this new shape to hold the fabric and dye. I'll let it sit extra long, as the dye is old, then add the soda ash tomorrow and process.

Going to Great Length

I am dying a 5 yard piece of fabric for the next work. This is one of three hunks that are cycling in from soda soak, to underdye, to wash out, to soda soak, to dry, to over dye, to wash out, back to soda soak, well, you get the idea. I hope that one works. The others will start something new.

Dye Pots

The term "dye pots" sounds so quaint. I use just about anything, here are some plastic bins. The first has some men's tee shirts with plastic clamps to resist here and there. No mystery how the pieces are dyed, and not terribly quaint, either.

Chroma Overload

The scene today behind the house with my under painted fabric. Seems like a battle of the colors here. And, no, I did not put that leaf there. Nature did!

True Bliss

Kathy, part of the Twin Cities Quilt Group, is a professional big-deal by day.  Passionate about dying and quilting, she says it is her therapy. Seems to be working just fine, here. That mound of fabric is her creation.