It was steaming hot here this past week. It’s the kind of weather that the cotton fabrics and dyes love. I definitely have been in love with my newfound knowledge of fabric dyeing after my Carol Soderlund class last May.
Processing the fabric in the barn
Carol recommends processing in a plastic bag for low water immersion. But I am way too messy with that. I can’t get manage to get the fabric folded without having the dye all over my legs while I fold it up for the plastic bag. Or maybe I am just too stubborn to not waste all my plastic containers.
Reds on the line
For the first time, I used full immersion for these two yard cuts of red. I ended up loving full water immersion for absolute solid coloring! It does take an hour of full tending to the pots though.
Lighter neutrals on the line
I need a few more neutrals but that will wait until a nice fall day.
Wacky over dyeing of the “ickies”
And the dry results…
Neutrals ready for ironing
Brights ready for ironing
No ironing until after I enjoyed the weekend with friends.
Hazy VT summer days
It’s summer after all.
From my garden
My husband has been with me in VT for longer than usual this summer. He said he’s amazed at how much time I spend working on my art. How did he not know this? 🙂
What are you working on? Can you settle into a summer time routine with your art or do you take break?
Those look wonderful, Colleen!
Thanks Terri- I am anxious to start cutting them up.
The fabrics look beautiful, even thought your dog looks unimpressed. Your husband sounds like mine, somewhat oblivious to my artistic fervor.
The dog is generally unimpressed unless food is involved! He’s a supportive husband but sometimes oblivious to what’s involved.
Looks like you got some good grays too-I always find getting the perfect grays hard. I used to do full immersion dyeing when I first started and remember getting great solids. Maybe I should go back to that. I am not taking a break this summer, now that we are home; I am trying some flour paste resist using thickened dye. I have finally found my groove with it, and gotten some great fabrics. I will return to my normal solid colors, but this has been fun. I am glad you learned so much from Carol!
Hi Gail-Glad you are having fun this summer working with thickened dyes. That’s next summer for me. I just chose a few deep colors to try full immersion with and did 2 yard cuts of them. I used low water immersion for the majority of my fabrics. Look forward to seeing you soon at Artprize.
Those are gorgeous! I still need to schedule a weekend of dying before our hot weather is gone. The husband comment sounds just like mine…. 😉
Beautiful fabrics! Looks like you have the perfect place to work. I envy you your summer in Vermont!