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Wednesday 23 July 2014

Indigo dyeing…


Here are the results of my indigo dyeing. Some are more successful than others; the tritek (stitched) hardly worked at all, so I'll try it again, at home using natural dyes. Those who used silk had by far the best results, but as I'm avoiding silk (because of the cruel harvesting methods) I used a combination of linens and muslins, and a jacquard weave table cloth.


Above is a piece of plain linen, studded with paper fasteners then folded and clamped. I was hoping the paper fasteners might form more of a resist, but they didn't; I'm leaving them in anyway as I like the way they look!


Pre-dyed fabric folded the opposite way to how I originally folded it; this has become my favourite piece, although I wasn't too sure at first.


A close up of the above piece, plus another pre-dyed fabric, which I folded diagonally.


More pre-dyed fabric, this piece was held together with rubber bands rather than clamped.


This corner is my absolute favourite part. The tritek in the background didn't work so well though.


A length of muslin folded in half and held together with paper fasteners around which I tightly wrapped rubber bands.


This one was wrapped around a pole then stitched to make the rouching more prominent.


These two were wrapped around sticks then tightly bound with metal wire and string.

So, what to do with them? Well rather than make a quilt, I think they might make a nice book. I can really see the pre-dyed fabrics as covers, and fabric pages would be great for testing out new stitches.

Elizabeth,
x.

5 comments:

  1. I've just bought myself some indigo with birthday money, so it's lovely to see your results. They are fantastic - especially love the paper fasteners!

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    1. It's a magical and very satisfying process, which I'm sure you'll fall in love with. Despite wearing gloves, however, the dye still got under my fingernails, and hasn't come off, so I look as if I have very bad circulatory problems!

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  2. Each and every piece is unique and truly beautiful. If I were you, I'll leave them out for a bit, just enjoy them as interior decoration!

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  3. Ooooh, these are wonderful! I want to try this.

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  4. Mmmmm... your indigo is lovely and will turn into something wonderful in your hands - great idea to make a book.

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