March 25, 2012

Last Dyeing Batch Before Japan (I hope!)

I didn't actually want to do any more dyeing before I'm leaving on the Japanese Textile Study Tour, but I had some leftover purple carrot dye that I did not want to waste. I had pieces of cotton and linen and some pearl cotton threads to dye last week. I'm glad I didn't throw the dye out because there was a lot of colour left in the dye liquid to use. Purple and blue is not easy to find in natural dye except for indigo. Indigo is beyond me at the moment. I will keep it to do during the tour. I know there are two indigo vats ready for us to use in Japan. I have a pile of fabric and some stitched shibori to take with me to dye there. 


Pearl cotton threads mordanted with alum. The top two skeins dyed with purple carrots and the bottom skein with eucalyptus with little of purple carrot juice. You can see a tint of purple on it. 


This is the cotton/linen being unwrapped. I do love the look of the unwrapped bundles, but most of the time I'm so excited to see the results I forget to take photo of them. In this bundle I used mixed leaves of eucalyptus, oaks and roses wrapped over metal rod. 


It was only left standing for a couple of days so the result wasn't all that great. I must learn to be more patient and to leave it longer before I unwrap it.


The end part with string marks on it. It will go nicely in a boro project I guess. 


Last picture of the "trip around the world" blocks before I pack them away. Twelve blocks here, but I have got 17 blocks in total. Almost half way now. I need a greater variety of fabric to make the rest. I will bring some back from Japan for the rest of the blocks. It's looking good so far, yeah, I'm happy with them! 

Thanks everyone for visiting. I have to apologies if I haven't been regular at leaving you comment lately. Life and time is running away with me. I do hope you are well and ready for the new spring or autumn if you live in the southern hemisphere. 



Enjoy
Nat

20 comments:

blandina said...

How you can make your bundles and then wait for days, is a mystery to me. I steam the bundles for 1 or 2 hours, maybe this is the reason why my cloths are paler than yours? The idea of a long wait is too much for my curious self. You will tell me everything in a VERY short time!

Simone de Klerk said...

Being less patient does give a surprising outcome too!
Have a wonderful trip! Look forward to hear from you. So special.

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

The cotton threads look beautiful!
I hope you have a lovely time - I look forward to hearing about it :-)
Hugs.

Penny said...

Have a great trip, will be thinking of you.

deanna7trees said...

my purple carrot seeds go in the ground this week. i bundled up some garden clippings yesterday and i'm going to be a bit more patient this time. your purples are beautiful. wishing you a wonderful trip.

deanna7trees said...

my purple carrot seeds go in the ground this week. you got beautiful results, as usual. wishing you a wonderful trip.

Needled Mom said...

Soooo pretty! I don't know how you have the patience to wait as long as you do!!! I am not sure I could wait that long.

Your blocks are beautiful. It is coming along so nicely.

Nedra said...

More beautiful colors from your dye pot. I'm always interested in seeing how your Trip Around the World is coming out, too. ( I need to keep working on mine)
Have a wonderful, wonderful time in Japan!

Els said...

WOW ! speechless !

Els said...

Forgot : have a good trip !

Sand and Sunshine said...

Have a great trip and that carrot dye was certainly well used. Carrots, who would have known?

Nancy said...

Gorgeous purples! Have a fun time on your trip :)

ParisMaddy said...

Hello Nat, Absolutely in love with your purples and beautiful quilt. Your trip is going to be amazing. I can't wait to see the fruits of your labour. I hope you have a lush and magnificent time. xoxo

magicmoonmusings said...

Those skeins look amazing!

onesmallstitch said...

I dug in the compost and prepared the ground for my purple carrots yesterday but think I'll wait to plant them when I get back - we are still having frost in the morning. Dyeing to meet you - soon.

Jeannie said...

Your dyed threads and cloth are beautiful. Patience when dyeing is so very difficult! Have a wonderful time on your trip!

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

OMG Nat those purple colours are beautiful...one of my favourite colours...Enjoy the trip...you will have soooo much fun...You Go Girl!!!

Peggy said...

Nat, the threads are just beautiful, they will be pure pleasure to stitch with when you get back! Have the most wonderful time ever on your trip to Japan. I'll watch for you on Facebook! xo

lynda Howells said...

Nat, even though you think you opened the batchs too soon..they still look greatxxxthe purple carrot colour just knocks me out! When are you off to japan again..you lucky woman?xxlynda

Anonymous said...

agree that the colors and prints look gorgeous... and the patchwork colors really sing as well.... I am soooo jealous of your trip to Japan. Enjoy!!

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