November 13, 2012

Naturally Dyed Workshop

Every blogger loves photography. I love photography. I take photos everyday when going for a walk, working in the garden, doing creative stuff at home, or going out for a cup of coffee. I usually find something interesting to photograph. I have been posting on my "daily inspiration" blog every day for nearly 100 days now. Thanks to my iPad that enables me to make a quick post each day. I just love this technology! 

Last Sunday I went to a dye workshop at Naturally Dyed with Jacky, Dot and Ro. Apart from having a great day dyeing at Jude's studio I really enjoyed taking photographs of what we did. There are lots of photos on this post, so I've grouped them together in sets. You can double click each set to make it larger. Enjoy...


I like dyeing threads to use in my stitch projects. Natural dyed threads give me that soft muted colour that goes so well with all my work. In the above photo from top left clockwise, liquid amber, eucalyptus leaves, eucalyptus leaves in iron pot, and turmeric dyed baths. This is my favorite photo for this post. 


Jude has so many rusty objects, copper pieces, metal rods and pre-dyed strings ready for us to use. You do get inspired looking at them. You can see the potential of what can be used in eco-dyeing.  


Then there are various leaves you can use to dye with. Jude lives in an ideal place for a dyeing workshop. The house is surrounded by eucalyptus trees of every species. Most of the plant materials were dried, but on that day Jacky took some eucalyptus mistletoe, and I took some fresh eucalyptus leaves from my university. I also took a piece of purple carrot and turmeric to share. 


Here were four different dyed baths Jude had going that day. Starting from the top left: Eucalyptus, turmeric, purple cabbage and eucalyptus in iron pot.


Jude was holding a bridal veil in the dyeing process. I can't wait to see how it turns out. Dot and Jude on the top right photo sitting out enjoying morning tea. In the bottom two photos were bundles ready to be opened.


In the top left photo was the collection of Jude's dyed fabric waiting when we arrived. In the top right photo were wedding dresses Jude collected to create one of a kind for a lucky bride. Jude is preparing a naturally dyed wedding at the moment. This is such an exciting project. This might be the first natural dye theme wedding in the world! The two bottom photos were some of our fabric we dyed that day. 


The most interesting piece I dyed that day has to be this pair of Japanese workman's trousers from Ziguzagu. It is old and well worn, but in good condition. On one leg I resist dyed it, and on the other leg I wrapped lots of eucalyptus leaves and hoped for the best. I love how it turned out. I couldn't have wished for a better result. I just love it!


What is really interesting is the text on the trousers. At first I thought it had been written using a marker pen. After a few washes the marks didn't come out, but getting cleaner. I had a closer look and realised the marks were woven into the fabric!


This was the trouser bundle, just before I opened it. It did look rather strange I must say! 


And here is what one of the legs looks like after it was opened. I left it lying about the house for a day and the intensity of the imprints darkened.

Thank you ladies for a great day. Thanks Jude for letting us come to play in your beautiful home. You are so generous and sharing. You are a true artist Jude. Good luck with the wedding; I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.

Until next time.
Nat




15 comments:

Els said...

Ha, you had a fun day (was at Jacky's place already !)

Nedra said...

I think of you everytime I see leaves on the ground, or objects that could be used for dying. In fact last night I soaked some black beans to make soup, and noticed how purple the water turned. Have you ever used those for a dying project?

deanna7trees said...

fabulous image. my favorite are those pants.

Kim said...

Looks like a fun way to spend time together. So many fun things going on at once. Oh I can't wait to see those wedding pictures too.
What an amazing idea :0)

Happy sewing

Terry said...

Looks llike a wonderful day. Very creative and good friends to share with. What more could a person want?
Like your results.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

A great day...the wedding will be truly amazing Nat...and what fun you must be having unwrapping each dye lot!

Ro Bruhn said...

We did have a great day, I'm still brewing up leaves at home. Your pants were fabulous, I hope we get to see you wearing them. It was lovely to meet you again, I hope we can get together for another session soon.

Jeannie said...

Oh my!!! What fun! I love the natural dyed thread and your workman's pants are fantastic!

joni cornell said...

These look sumptuous Nat - such gorgeous bundles wrapped and unwrapped...and your photos are beaut too. <3

Bev C said...

Hello Nat,

Thanks so much for another interesting post. The Turmeric you used, was that the root or was is the powder that you use in cooking.

Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Dot said...

What a wonderful post Nat! Your photo's are amazing. It was a special day and your fabric dyeing was fantastic. I can se why you are hooked on eco dyeing :).
Hugs
Dot

rivergardenstudio said...

Oh Nat, your photographs are amazing. How I wish I could have been there with you all. Jude looks like an incredible teacher and artist! And I love the trousers!!
Thank you for sharing all of this with us...
roxanne

Judy said...

I can feel your excitement in this post! You must have had a fabulous day! There's nothing better than a day of dyeing with friends! The pants are fabulous - and I love the woven in writing. Do you know what it says? I'd love to see photos of the naturally dyed wedding.

xxoo

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Nat. LUV your dyed experiments. I'll have India Flint's book pretty soon, which I'm looking forward to reading and trying out. Have a happy holiday season!
best, nadia

antique quilter said...

I love seeing the leaves dyed on the fabric, I just love leaves so always a treat for me. how fun to find the text on the clothes. wow woven into the fabric I wonder why?
thanks for sharing what seemed to me like the best class ever!
Kathie

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