The long hot summer continues...
with temperatures breaking records all across Europe.
Traditionally indigo dyeing has taken place in locations much warmer than
with temperatures breaking records all across Europe.
Traditionally indigo dyeing has taken place in locations much warmer than
the Isle of Wight, so the unusually hot conditions here are perfect for my
indigo experiments!
indigo experiments!
Preparations have been ongoing over the past weeks.
I'm using many fabrics - cottons, linens and silks - left over from
my Rust Dyeing in 2017, however this time my main focus is to experiment
I'm using many fabrics - cottons, linens and silks - left over from
my Rust Dyeing in 2017, however this time my main focus is to experiment
with indigo dyeing FELT…
I’ve felted a series of 3-D natural forms - pods, shells and pebbles shapes.
They're all ready for dyeing and I’m keen to see how these felted shapes will
react in the dye vat - I’m hoping for some totally random-dyed effects…
I’ve also prepared some pieces of felt which are tied, pleated and stitched with
shibori techniques. I’ve tried this before with coloured prefelts
and you can follow this link to Shibori Workshops.
and you can follow this link to Shibori Workshops.
These latest felt pieces are pure white and ready to dye…
along with the other cottons, silks and linen fabrics…
As with the rust experiments I also want to try dyeing paper.
I've used a Khadi sketchbook, preparing the pages for dyeing with different
I've used a Khadi sketchbook, preparing the pages for dyeing with different
‘shibori’ style pleats and folds, pegged and stitched into place
.
Folding the hand-made 100% cotton rag paper has certain similarities to
the more traditional folds with fabric, but it also displays very different qualities...
I’ve been able to tear and cut the paper, wrap it around sticks, use wax and
origami-type folds secured in place to form areas that act as resists,
origami-type folds secured in place to form areas that act as resists,
which prevent the dye colour from penetrating the paper,
creating white patches + a range of lighter blue tones...
creating white patches + a range of lighter blue tones...
Indigo dyeing is a totally new adventure for me!
I’ve read as much as I can find in books and on-line.
BUT this is extremely experimental and I’m really excited to see
whether or not any of it works…
It’s been just as challenging to create all the different 3-D felt shapes
AND the ‘pre-dyed’ paper book
So now all the fabric materials, utensils and equipment are assembled,
prepared and ready to go to the next stage…
BUT we have some very severe weather warnings ahead
so I’m having to wait for the winds to drop and calmer, warmer days,
when hopefully the indigo will be able to do it’s magic…..
