1. Prepare the print paste mix the night ahead. I started with 2 cups of water , 2T urea and 2 T print paste. It was way too runny so I added a few more tablespoons until it was like syrup. It thickened overnight to the consistency of thick honey which was perfect.
Stitched and tied piece ready to dye |
Dyes mixed and added to the print paste |
6. I again used a paint brush to apply the dye/print paste mixture.
Print paste and Dye mix applied |
7. I covered it in plastic wrap so it wouldn’t dry out and let it batch overnight.
Covered in plastic to batch in a warm place overnight |
8. The next day I carefully cut the tied threads and pulled it out prior to rinsing. I really need a seam ripper, tweezers and my small scissors. It was time consuming but exciting to see the reveal.
Pulling out the threads prior to rinsing |
9. Then I rinsed in cold, then hot and popped it in the washing machine with a little synthrapol.
final piece |
close up |
I didn’t look at my surface design notebooks or the many books I have….I was impatient and was just winging it but it turned out really pretty. I am sure the many books out there have more concise instructions but this is how I did it!
I am going to pick out some of my hand dyed embroidery threads and have a new stitching project to work on.