DYEING WOOL WITH ACID DYES AND MX DYES

Hi all.

This week I am going to start experimenting with ways to dye wool using acid dyes and Procion MX dyes to compare the processes and the colors.

I will be using wool batting as well as spun yarn. I have access to a number of different kinds of wool and several other fabulous blends that I will document for you.

I will actually TRY to make the process fail as well as of course trying to make it work. It's all a part of testing the process to find if this is something that is as easy as it seems and perhaps that can be used in future projects and as marketable product.

Here is a picture of some carded wool that my husband made a few weeks ago at the Yolo Wool Mill "mill in". Nice job, Steve! Soft as a cloud.

I just ordered my dyes and a few other supplies so let the games begin!

Chasing My Passion for Hand Dyed Silk

I made a big mistake yesterday. I was starting to dye the veils for A'Kai Silks and this run was to be a combo of orange with purple. In my excitement I dropped an entire bottle of purple dye in the center of this silk piece and the dark color splotted all over the orange portion. I said a VERY bad word and hopped around the dye studio punching the air with my fists. Then... I composed myself and started to work with it. Move the dye around. Add more orange.
As I have said in my QU classes, it is impossible to make an ugly piece of hand dyed silk. It's just flat out NOT something that a human can do. You can't. Zero possibilities. Even if you spill purple dye on top of orange dye.

Here is another picture of my mistake. It reminds me of a desert sunset. Jes, if you are looking at this- you may want me to make more of this because it is exquisite. This is why I keep coming back for more.

I could dye silk until my last breath escapes me. There isn't anything I would rather do.

Here are the veils I have finished. I have more curing in the dye studio right now. More pictures tomorrow. I am a happy dyer. A very, very happy dye baby.

Veil production begins

Today I start dyeing what you see above for A'kai Silks. 7 veils will be dyed today and then I'll work on the box of stuff sent as odds and ends. I'll show you what comes out of what I hope will be a productive week of dyeing.

Show me what $2,000.00 of hand dyed fabric looks like-

There is an event this Saturday that involves fiber and it's production from field to loom to the dye vats. This opportunity came about suddenly so I have to move fast.

I have been systematically digging out all the hand dyed fabs and silk scarves that have been taking up space and washing them, ironing them, folding them and putting them in a big box.

When someone does something nice for me, I let them chose a scarf. When I go somewhere, I take a hostess gift which is a silk scarf. When it is someones birthday- they chose a scarf. When someone who does fiber art isn't looking, I deposit fat quarters on their doorstep, ring the bell and run away. How fun is that? Very fun.

So this week, I have been pulling out fabs that were duds, experimental, ends of runs, and just stuff I have had around the Dye Studio for eons. I have washed it, overdyed it, cut it up and am ready to sell it. I had NO idea how much stuff I had in boxes and stuffed under tables and on the shelves. Here is almost all of it. It's hard to see the immensity of the pile. I am going to be selling it all, even the scarves for half price. Hopefully, it will go fast and I'll be done.

It feels so good to have some breathing room but best of all, it feels great to be selling it all off to good homes. Hopefully, this fabric will be turned into fiber art which in turn will make more people happy and productive.

I'll let you know how it goes.

More Sodium alginate stuff

The last lesson in the new Quilt University class called "Thick and Thin" includes how to paint on the thickened dyes to make color gradations and then stamp or stencil patterns on top of the gradations.

This one is an experimental piece I tried using red as the base and then yellow as the stamping color for subtle results. The possibilities are endless.

These wooden stamps were purchased from Lilian Vernon years ago. Very cool.

I'm excited about the last lesson in the class because I teach you how to actually work with the flaws in the system. So the first four lessons are how to use the thickeners properly and the last lesson is how to mess with them and not play by the rules for more fabulous results. For instance, if not mixed properly the dyes streak which is not necessarily a bad thing! If you do not rinse out the dyes well they also streak. Not a bad thing either. It's not often that you can actually break all the rules and have terrific results. I think this medium may actually be klutz proof.

I absolutely love this piece of fabric. I can't wait for you to take this class and show me what you can do.

Finishing up-Batik II

Here is the final outcome of the waxing, dyeing, removal of wax, and repeating the procedure for the final lesson of the class I teach called "Batik Seminar" which is finishing up at Quilt University this week.

You can see the progression below...this is how batik is done- Old School! Lots of work but worth the effort. I call this pattern, "Party At My House".

Fall Dye Studio E-News sent out today!

I just sent out the fall issue of The Dye Studio E-Newsletter. If you did not receive it or would like to be put on my list, email me and let me know.

In this season's issue I discuss the new QU class I am putting the finishing touches on called "Thick and Thin".

Sodium alginate is an awesome medium to use with Procion MX dyes to make a substance that is far superior to fabric paints in that once the dyes are set, the alginate washes away leaving the brilliant color and design behind with absolutely NO hand or stiffness the way paints do even when thinned down with water.

Here is a picture of one of the projects I finished for my small writing table in the kitchen-I love those table runners! I used one of the wooden stamps I bought several years ago from Lillian Vernon, of all places! I must say that is the first and only time I have ever placed and order with them. I bought them because I thought they were beautiful- not that I would ever use them! I thought the same thing about the brass batiking tjap I bought from Dharma. That thing is not only a work of art, it is a fabulously balanced and makes perfect wax stamps every time. Not once in awhile- EVERY time. Wish I had 60 more.

Watch for this 5 lesson online class soon at QU. We do not have a starting date yet but will later in the year. I expect standing room only so register as soon as you see it on the roster. I will let you know well enough ahead of time so that you can get your supplies.

If you would like a supply list now, email me.

Happy dyeing, stamping, mess making everyone!