Some weeks I don't have anything new to blog about but other weeks I have plenty. I don't want to swamp you with too many posts so I decided that posting once a week is just right.
Last weekend I tried my hand at Shibori dyed in indigo. I have seen a video on YouTube about the traditional Japanese Shibori. So, with a stack of dye powder I thought I would try it. Dyeing is very addictive. It's a very exciting process to start the dye bath and wait for the result the next day. I love natural dye too, but it is not always possible living in a city. My photos are somewhat out of order today sorry about that guys.
Here is a result of Shibori dyeing after leaving it in the dye bath over night. The patterns are not even in size or evenly positioned on the cloth. That was intentional. This time it is only experimenting with dyeing. I will try drawing patterns on the cloth and tying along the pattern next time.
This is how it looks like after I rinsed out the dye, but before untying the string. It looks good as it is before untying it doesn't it? I used Procion in indigo dye powder for this. I hope to try the natural indigo dye in the summer. Apparently you need warm weather for that.
Lot of moon dyed pieces. I'm thrilled about this technique. The above pieces are cotton.
These pieces are silk from a lining of vintage kimono. The moon shapes weren't sealed very well around the edges, but I still like the look of them.
What are you doing, you were asking. I was tying those little knobs on the cloth above. It was a fun thing to do. I asked Mr Notjustnat to take a photo for me. I don't always remember to take photos of what I do until it it too late. Does that happen to you too? BTW, the cloth has to be wet before tying. It makes it easier to tie.
Blue basket made for me by Kaite of Yarngarden. Thanks Kaite, I love it. It's a handy basket for threads or a tidy bin when I'm stitching.
I was at the Craft and Quilt Fair yesterday I remembered to take some photos and will show them to you soon. Have a nice week everyone.
26 comments:
Your indigo dyed pieces are beautiful. wish I had the time and space to do that.
Nat your indigo dyeing experiments look fantastic...you must be so happy!!! I will look out for the procion indigo dye (whilst waiting for some warm weather).
Looking forward to seeing your photos from the Quilt show.
Jacky xox
Good blue colour Nat!!! What a handy bucket you have there...and I look forward to hearing more abou the Craft Show...have a fabulous week...Dzintra♥x
Wow, Nat, some lovely dying! And yes, the moons in the silk look pretty like that!
Enjoyed seeing your dyeing experiments Nat (but your shibori link took me to my iGoogle home page - is it me or you?!)
How very very interesting, Nat! I looooove that blue!
Really enjoyed the picture of you knotting!
:)
That looks like so much fun Nat, fabulous results, I really like the moon pieces. I was at the quilt fair yesterday too, shame we didn't run into each other.....
Lizzie
xxx
Oh hi Nat :-)
You are a busy productive girl and wow! I love what you're doing.
Beautiful indigo colour and such fun :-)
I've only fiddled with a teeny bit of dyeing so far, but oh this looks like fun!
your shibori turned out really well Nat, great work. I must look at that video too. Pleased you like the basket, i had a lot of fun making it for you. kaite
Wonderful results from the dying. I know how much you enjoy the process and the results. These are great.
Tying is tedious but your mind can wander during this part of the process. A good thing sometimes.
Enjoy your week and using your new fabrics.
Love your shibori Nat. I discovered that if you stitched sashiko patterns with dental floss and drew them up tight for dyeing it acts as a wonderful resist. I dyed mine with midnight blue Procion but am glad to know that there is now an indigo blue.
Keep having fun
Cheers
Lynne
Cute picture of you Nat. Your dying projects are always so interesting to see.
Years and years ago I did a clss in dying and had a go with shibori. It's a lot of fun making the patterns. I love the moon shapes and they all came out lovely.
Great done, Nat! Blue is my favorite color. I've never tried dying, but would love to try... It's so much I want to try... :)
Great done, Nat! Blue is my favorite color. I've never tried dying, but would love to try... It's so much I want to try... :)
Great done, Nat! Blue is my favorite color. I've never tried dying, but would love to try... It's so much I want to try... :)
What a great blue post, Natima! You look lovely, as always!
I love your hand dyeing Nat, especially the "moon" ones. It looks like a lot of fun waiting to see the patterns that form. Cute little basket!
Hi Nat
I thought I had left a comment on this post. Sorry!. Love, love your hand dyeing. Gorgeous colors.
Dot xx
I love the results of your dyeing. Now I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with the fabrics.
Wow, Nat, what a lovely fabric you created!! It looks really beautiful!
Love the picture of you tying that fabric! :))
It's good to be back from holiday..... I just missed you!
Hugs, Ria.
Nat--I love the indigo fabrics you've made! I tried one piece of tied fabric (shibori) dyeing to make a bark scarf out of handmade felt. Have a look if you'd like: http://woollove-functional-fiberart.blogspot.com/2009/10/modified-bark-scarf.html
Nat, what gorgeous moon fabric. I feel the same way about dying silk ribbons. Procion dyes are wonderful to work with. Are you going to incorporate some of your new fabrics into your books?
Cheers,
Bobbie
Oh your dying came out beautifully........some many things to try.....so little time :0).
In the summer I spend so much time cleaning the pool and keeping up with the gardens.......this is the year of the weeds.........oh my goodness I can barely keep up :0)
Happy Sewing Nat :0)
Hello Nat!
It is always great to see your smiling face :0) Gosh in so many ways, you remind me of my own mom! You favor her alot!
XOXO,
Stefanie
Hi Nat, Your dyed fabrics are beautiful. Looks like a fun process, wish we lived closer so you could show me how in person. :)
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