Inventory
Before I start dyeing a lot of new fabric, I thought it might be a good idea to check and see what I actually need. It turns out that all those boxes that were moved here and went directly into the garage storage were full to the brim with stuff I have been saving for just this very moment. 
I had totally forgotten I had these fabrics. The pictures are merely a small percent of what I had stashed away. Geesh. I'm rich!
These fabrics were made outdoors on my old deck. Pleated and sopping wet with presoak liquid, then the dyes were poured onto the folds and allowed to dry in the sun. NO touching until it is done. That's how all the texture and details (air bubbles) are formed. Lots of colors were layed down first and then the whole thing was squirted with black. They looked horrible until I washed them out.
Stand and pour, a really awful technique produced this first piece. I saved lots of these because I never want to bother doing them again. And since then I have found out how to acheive the same look with a lot less work. Stand and pour means to erect some sort of system in which the fabric is hung up, and the dyes are poured down from the top. Excess dyes are collected in a container at the bottom ( wallpaper troughs). Sounds easy, but NOOOOO! It was a mess and lots of dye was wasted. uughh.
This is my fave fabric. Special Editions. Dyed flat and open and just pour on the dyes. So pretty and so much more useful. I will make more of this because each one is unique. Of course I have about 50 half yard pieces already...but still.
So I realized that I really don't need much new fabric. Just some dirty greens, and some pinks, maybe more reds...
Not if you offer some up for sale!!!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your sharing your gorgy fabrics and techniques for making them. As a newby dyer, I am endlessly fascinated by how you did things. Face it, I think you just miss dyeing, no matter how much fabric you have stored!!
ReplyDeleteWow--what a stash! And the perfect way to keep dying is to teach your local yocals how to do it! We Chattanoogans are blessed!
ReplyDeleteDrool!!!
ReplyDeleteI've begun to start USING those pieces I've been saving for...4-6 years, because they were so pretty! Of course the neatest ones are real ugly fabrics that I overdyed, so I really have no way to make more, but still...it's time to use it!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! Love those fabrics. What a stash you have hidden. I see lots of small quilts coming soon. Have FUN!!
ReplyDeleteAn embarassment of riches! Scratch that! No one needs to be embarassed by these beauties! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOMGSH! Well one way to feel better about doing more dyeing is to have a contest to give some away.... or maybe we should have crept into your basement when you weren't looking, like gobblins in the night and treated ourselves. Oh well, we will just have to drool, by coming back to your blog and feasting on your eye candy.
ReplyDeleteYummers!
ReplyDeleteIsn't colour just the most wonderful thing!
ReplyDeleteI have been sitting here drooling at these wonderful pieces. I so want to do some flat dyeing. I think when I go to my MIL's this summer I will figure out how to do some dyeing there in her HUGE backyard. You are so gifted!
ReplyDeleteOne question: how do I keep the cats off the fabric while it's drying? I have a really big yard, and I know I will need to try this when the weather warms up a little more! Thanks for your wonderful inspiration!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Okay, please tell me which green you are using. I've not had such success with green on silk. You are dyeing silk aren't you?
ReplyDelete