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| Me in 2014 in my newly gifted hand knit hat (knit hat by great friend Roberta). Joy and excitement walk in the first rain of 2014! |
Recently, I've been dyeing with coreopsis from garden (a few years ago I grew in my garden and I dried and stored in a plastic bag). I dyed silk and cotton.
I have dyed wool...but, I think cotton and silk are a new thing for me with this flower dye.
Cotton and silk are not a protein-but, they are plant fiber.
So, for them to take dyes I treated(mordanted and changed the ph of the dye pot) them differently than wool.
I plan to Nuno felt with the silk and make some artistic cloth for a summer dress or tank top.
I'm going to weave on a large loom next week.
I don't know much about weaving.
I've started to Navajo Weave...Built a loom and everything. But, I have not finished the small piece of fabric I started.
From what I understand-weaving on the (Rigid Heddle?) loom I'll be using-You can weave fast!
I plan to use the cotton strips for weaving and make a kitchen rug.
The dry flowers produces amazing colors!
Reminds me of the flowers in summertime!
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| coreopsis in dye pot |
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| results of coreopsis is a orangish yellow dyed fabric |
Also, while making Saur Kraut...
I dyed my hands(and a few other clothing articles I was wearing) purple.
I'd like to see if I can use on material with good colorfast results.
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| my hand dyed with cabbage. |
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| Cutting cabbage for Kraut |
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| Onion skin dyes-mordant alum-silk |
Another recent creative moment in 2013 was Alissa Allen's Funi Dyeing workshop http://mycopigments.com/. So much color! All from mushrooms! Maybe, after the rain I can hunt for shrooms. Yes, it has not rained in my neck of the woods(Northern California)for over 35 days! Today, it is pouring rain! Celebrate the rain!
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| Alissa Allen standing next to variety of mushroom/fungi dyes we got to experiment with @ A mushroom/fungi dye workshop in Nevada City, CA w. Alissa teaching. She is a fabulous teacher! |
I wish I had taken the opportunity I had to be at this workshop in Pacific Grove with Irit Dulman http://iritdulman.blogspot.com/
this weekend!
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| a photo from FB on IRit's page...Reminding me of how amazingly leaves create interesting graphics for/on fabric. |
I am drooling over the photos friends and fellow dyers are posting as they get results.
Both she and India Flint'shttp://www.indiaflint.com
techniques developed or re-explored by this creative natural/eco-friendly textile artist.
Both are so inspirational for dyeing textiles!
But, I hope to create unique designs with my own explorations.
I really love the use of oak leaves! Very local tree to me!
I have in mind I will experiment with natural dyes this year!
I have forgotten how I like to document and share my creative life.
Here is to a creative year in 2014!
