Dyeing a variety of fabrics

17th June 2013

Another section of Unit 3 involves dyeing fabrics.

I remembered the rubber gloves this time!!
 Anne gives very clear instructions for making and applying the dye. Procion powder dye is mixed with a saline and soda solution and water. The fabrics are layered in a container (cat litter tray) and the dye is spooned over the fabrics. I decided to use yellow, red and blue thinking where the dyes blended I would also have purple, green and orange! It didn't quite work out the way I planned but I should know this by now. The results when using dyes is ALWAYS a surprise!

Fabrics before dyeing. I used white muslin, ecru coloured muslin, scrim, linen, calico white cotton velvet and bamboo and silk yarn.

This is what they looked like immediately after I added the dye.

This was left for 30 mins then rinsed until the water was clear. I then put it on a quick cycle in my machine to wash it.

I certainly had some surprises!!
 The ecru muslin did not take at all but the white muslin did.

The best result colour wise was the cotton velvet with the linen coming close second and I love the colours in the yarn but I am not sure whether I will be able to untangle it!!

Results after washing.
                                                                Cotton velvet

                                                                          Linen

                                                                         Scrim

                                                                         Muslin

                                                                        Calico

                                                                  Bamboo/silk yarn

A lot of surprises.

Not sure yet how I am going to use them but I am determined to try something interesting!!

I think next time I will halve the quantities used, both fabric and dye and probably just use 2 colours.

I have really enjoyed the experimenting and am wondering whether the colours will be as bright when the fabric is dry. I will tell you tomorrow.

Starting Unit 3 !!

16th June 2013

I woke really early this morning and decided to make my coffee and have a play with various papers.


 This is for the Texture and Form section but I think I went off at a tangent as I often do!!

I really enjoyed cutting, layering, rolling, scrunching the papers, it reminded me of my early teaching days with my Reception class cutting and sticking to develop fine motor skills.

Remember these?

The cone in the centre of this display is made by cutting out decreasing circles and gluing. I think I may try some of these layering techniques with fabric on Bondaweb.

The flower is my favourite and this could definitely be made using different fabrics. I am thinking scrim, muslin and organza. The centre of the flower is screwed up tissue, the stem is rolled and twisted silk paper and the leaf is glued cling film and PVA glue.
The shape on the left of the flower was made by rolling paper then cutting into small pieces.

I have also washed and ironed scrim, calico, linen and muslin ready for dyeing-another  task in Unit 3.

Now I must bake a Victoria sponge for my husband's Father's Day treat, think I'll use fresh raspberries instead of jam!!

Simple collage picture for a new baby

15th June 2013

Today I finished a picture I started weeks ago!

I discarded my first two designs as they looked too 'busy' in the frame. Hope it's third time lucky and the parents like it.

I sponge painted the background then cut out balloon shapes in brightly coloured felt. The letters on the balloons were made with a substance called Filigree Fluid which when heated with a heat gun puffs up. It reminded me of the ' Serpent' in indoor fireworks!! Happy memories. I hand stitched over the letters to give a candy stripe effect then  attached the ribbons and balloons to the background using free machining in silver thread.

As it wasn't raining this morning I picked some small flowers to press ready for the next paper making session. Now I must do the ironing!!

Silk paper with dried leaves

14th June 2013

I have had a great morning 'craft playing' with a friend. It is great to chat and share ideas.

A few weeks ago I was trawling the local charity shops for anything I could use in my crafting and I found a good sized flower press for £1.99! I picked leaves from the garden and pressed them. This is a selection.

I took my bag of silk cocoon and dried leaves with me to Joanne's. We made some silk paper-about 3 thin layers- then placed the leaves on top and added another fine layer of silk. This paper is much more delicate than the daisy paper as we didn't want to stitch this but thought it would lovely on the front of a card.

We were really pleased with the results.

I have also used painted Lutradur on sponge printed scrim to make these cards.

The painted Lutradur is ironed on Bondaweb then cut out into petal shapes and ironed then stitched onto the scrim. I do like the texture of the scrim.

My last news of this post is I downloaded Unit 3 and it looks so exciting!  

My first attempt at making silk paper

13th June 2013

Sonja has told me she has been unable to post a comment on this blog so I asked my son for help!
He says the problem has been sorted, so if you would like to post a comment or ask a question please do.

Yesterday I was a little excited about my stall at the Craft Fair and posted the wrong date! It should have been 21st July. (a senior moment!!)

Today Anne returned my Unit 2 together with very helpful feedback. I promptly booked Unit 3.

Today I rinsed the scrim that I dyed yesterday. These are the results, the first photo when wet and the second when dry.

The colour changed slightly and next time I must add only a tiny amount of blue as the purple is too dark. The scrim is a lovely texture and I am looking forward to stitching it.

Then the postman arrived with some silk tops I had ordered.

 I subscribe to the Colouricious website and each week Jamie Malden introduces a textile artist.( I discovered Anne's work this way) Last week she introduced Isobel Hall who showed how she made silk paper without mess!! Of course I wanted to try it so found a site that stocked the tops required. As soon as I unwrapped the parcel I had the iron out, the water spray and baking parchment. I took photos during this very enjoyable process.

This shows 2 varieties of silk. The silk on the left is Throwster's Silk and is long strands which can be added to the paper. The silk on the right is Silk Cocoon-pure silk in the gum- which is used to make the paper. 

I began the process of teasing the silk, dampening with water spray and laying it on the baking parchment. I had 3 fine layers when I decided to try adding some daisies that I had pressed a couple of weeks ago. (another first)

I then added 2 more fine layers to secure the daisies. 

I was really pleased with my very first piece of silk paper and it was such an enjoyable process, next time I am going to try adding some of my Merino fleece.

This paper is thick enough to stitch-I think- will tell you when I have tried!

Experimenting and having fun!!

12th June 2013

It was pouring down when I looked out of my window this morning so made my coffee and proceeded to play!

Last week I asked my husband if he had any small pieces of wood as I wanted to try making some string stamps. This idea came from Sonja's blog (diaryofatextilestudent.blogspot.co.uk)

Yesterday he came in from his garage/workshop with 4 blocks glued with string patterns!!
This morning I tried them out on some old, dyed pieces of calico. I think they will be good for practising free machining.

I also used another idea from Sonja's blog for printing using an acrylic stamp.

I used calico and fabric paints in shades of green as I needed background fabric for some projects I have planned. Again please excuse the photo's.

I pressed the brush loaded with paint onto the block until it was covered then pressed it down onto the fabric, I was quite pleased with the effect.

My last background was made by making long brushstrokes in shades of green. I had to print this a couple of times as I needed a thicker print.

My last task was to dye some scrim for my project. I washed the scrim first and was surprised by the amount the fabric shrank! I must remember to wash the whole peice next time before dyeing. I chose red, blue and mixed a little of each in another plastic pot which I hope will be a lovely shade of purple.

It had now stopped raining so we took our dog for a bracing 3 mile walk along the Promenade. 

On the way home I booked a stall at a Craft Fair on 15th July at the Solaris Centre on the promenade. This will be my first fair as a stall holder so it is all very exciting!!!

Needle Felting

11th June 2013

Good morning to everyone following my blog! Sad to say it is raining today but I am not complaining as we have had 10 lovely days.

I apologise for the quality of the photos-wish my very talented daughter lived nearer to help!!

A few weeks ago I bought a needle felting tool at a craft show, sent off for some beautiful merino fleece and played. I found this process to be very relaxing and quite addictive!

I now have numerous pieces of decorated felt and today decided  to do something with them. 

I made some brooches which I embellished with tiny beads and some 'fabric' I had made using saved off-cuts of thread and soluble fabric. I had some brooch backs and stitched them on, I think these would look good on a garment, hat or bag. More items for my craft stall.

Next I made covers for a book and ring binder file.

I used free machining on the large flower on the file and programmed stitches on the smaller book.
A very satisfying morning.