My primary objective during a recent dying session was to improve many ugly or high contrast fabrics. This photo shows about half of the fabrics I intended to improve.
Some of them look fine, but have a lot of contrast in them. Now that I’ve been working with these hand dyed fabrics for a while, I’m finding that working with these can be challenging. Others are nearly solid and need to have some pattern added. Finally, some are hideous and merely need to be mostly obscured.
Because dyes are transparent, you always have to consider how colors will combine when one is applied over another. I gave this a lot of thought. The fabric below was pale blue and white. Pretty, but not something I thought I’d use. So, I over dyed it with a dull yellow. As you can see, that turned the blue to green, just as I expected.
And here’s the whole collection, after a week’s worth of effort. I think I did about 40 pieces.
Actually, there are another 6 or so that turned out really ugly. (Chartreuse, when I was aiming for a simple yellow-green.) They’ll be in the “needs improvement” category for my next dye session.
Now, I’m on to using these fabrics and it sure is fun!
Ellen Lindner
Awe heck, if we knew how they’d all come out we’d miss half the fun!!! You did good.
You’re right about that, Mary! Some of mine didn’t turn out too well, but they’ll get over dyed on the next round. (It’s a never ending cycle, I think.)
So jealous! It’s too cold and rainy here, and I’m stuck making boring face masks. Really want to make art!!
Eleanor, that’s so great that you’re making masks. They’ll be so appreciated and useful. I just had to do something creative for my sanity!
I do all my dying inside, so I’m not dependent on the weather. (Cuz it’s usually too hot outside here in Florida!)
Well, I will be making face masks, when I can get away from all the zoom meetings for advocacy, book groups, rescheduling quilt guild gigs, cleaning, washing, keeping the hubby from getting too testy, keeping the family connected. I am dying, not dyeing, from all the demands on my day and evenings…
Wow, Eleanor, your plate sounds EXTRA full! I’m sorry you’re having to deal with all that. (All the more reason for a creative break.) I hope you get one soon!
Dyeing is such a creative process and so much fun! It is rather messy and I usually wait until I can do it outdoors. One spill on the hubby’s garage floor was a kill joy! Your fabrics are beautiful with so much variety in color and design.
Hi Mary Frances,
I had to laugh at your comment about the garage floor. We have a similar issue in my home. I finally bit the bullet and figure out to make my modest studio space dye proof. (i.e. swathed everything in plastic.) It’s a pain for the week or so that I’m dying, but I hit it hard because of that and I’m happy not to be outside in the Florida heat. (Although it’s still pleasant now.
I’m loving the fabric results. Thanks!
Ellen, Just want you to know that I really enjoy your posts. Some I might use, but even the ones I know that I won’t. They are eye candy, and I can’t get enough of that!
Thanks, Janet! I’m glad you’re enjoying them.