September 2012 – Ideas in Cloth

Why dye?

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Roxanne Lasky

There is something so magical about not knowing. It’s a metaphor for life. I wish I could always keep this in mind.

Today at the Quilter’s Alley, we dyed some cotton in a workshop that emphasizes color theory and color accident. The results were glorious shades of autumn.

2012-09-29 12.31.25 — Soda ash and salt mordants

Ready to dye.

2012-09-29 12.28.26 — What colors do with each other

A quick color wheel lesson about mixing dye

We used three different “reds” two “blues and an “off” yellow and avocado. My previous workshops, focused on color theory. This one was pure fun.

My student was brilliant. She had no fear of the outcomes, and the results were more than glorious. We missed you, Harriet. (It’s always better with more minds in the room.)

Ombre surprises from fuchsia to carmine

I wanted the wrinkles to do the work. I had this piece of muslin all tangled and twisted in the wash cycle. Those peaks and valleys yield great texture. I can’t wait until it dries.

Last week’s bundle with gunmetal dye was opened today. Hints of brown show from the twigs and leaves I wrapped. More will emerge/oxydize in the next couple of days. Can you say “metamorphosis?” Oh, joy!

Want more on how to do this? Comment!

Continuum

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Roxanne Lasky

From Hapazome Saturday with Vagabond’s Daughter to Happy Reunion with my dear friend after five long months.

First we stitched, then we bundled then we took a walk which led to the real fun.

I wish I had pictures of the two of us combing the edge of the Summit for wildflowers. Laurie climbed the fence while I walked along with Nellie, holding the bouquet. We saw a tiny toad in the grass and experienced the wonder of two grown women acting like girls again. This show you how steep and what we were after.

I had so much fun at the Hapazome workshop that I had to share….

Our flower palette is on the right.

Unfolding the surprise after pounding the flowers

After giving mine a tea bath, a lot of the pinks disappeared. The subtle traces of stems and leaves is still beautiful and I put it to work as soon as it was dry.

Foraging Fall

Posted on September 23, 2012September 23, 2012 by Roxanne Lasky

DSCN1658 — The wood that Nancy brought to hang the pieces was beautiful, too.

Surprises abounded with orange emerging from fire bush and berries exploding randomly into the cloth.

She boiled concord grapes that she culled from a roadside car stop and mixed earth pigments for direct painting onto these organic beauties. I watched in wonder and caught the excitement of how autumn can give its natural gift in the life cycle of plants.

I tasted a grape that brought me back to childhood and my grandmother’s wine. The kids got to eat the goodies at the bottom of the jar.

We were at Terrain in Westport – an eden in our midst. There is no way you can’t be inspired by every season and its beauty.

White pumpkins tick my monochromatic box.

We gathered from around the garden. Everything here is plain pretty.

: Trellises, screens, tomato stakes – pretty!

DSCN1612 — Trough ala slop sink fountain

DSCN1639 — Hapazome – the project. Pummel pigment into cloth.

Another way to dye. And a great stress reliever. I felt like I was in the land of drumming rhythms.

You should try this. I am a Vagabond’s step-daughter today.

Fall Crop

Posted on September 9, 2012September 9, 2012 by Roxanne Lasky

From the Dorr Mill Store

Torn into one-yard pieces

2012-09-08 18.52.40 — Damp and folded after first washing

2012-09-09 08.46.08 — Ready to be torn into 1/3 yards

Notebook from previous dyeing sessions, open for reference.

2012-09-09 10.11.34 — I run a cool color pot.

2012-09-09 10.11.26 — And a warm color pot

Notice the steam on this pot. The water is simmering the whole time. Depending on the color I want I measure the water in inches and usually use a full packet for the most intense color. The red pot was at about two inches. The blue had more like 3 or 4 inches.

2012-09-09 10.11.20 — I keep the colors separate in litter pans.

The first piece will be the darkest, taking up most of the dye. The later pieces get lighter. Great if you want a range of value in the same color. The water will be clear if you immerse enough fabric.

2012-09-09 10.11.40 — Blues and Turquoise. The lavender one is a late blue dip. Really!

2012-09-09 10.57.45 — Mint Green in Turquoise bath

I added a touch of Old Gold to the green and got some really nice avocado and limey tones.

Each color group is rinsed and spun separately. I love this part, I’m almost done.

Now to clean up the kitchen and put these babies into beautiful color groups. They will be available at the Quilter’s Alley and on Etsy.

Colorforms

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Roxanne Lasky

Today, Nancy, who I have posted on Pinterest more than once, was in to drop off another quilt for quilting She is always inspiring because of the time, thought and care she devotes to each project – and there have been many.

I want to share some of her process ( a truly amazing glimpse into her sketchbook) that happens before the actual quilt is made and delivered to the Quilter’s Alley for quilting.

I think I am fascinated by the scale of the mock-ups because I love miniature so much, but also because she leaves no patch unturned in her effort to create meaningful gifts for her friends and family. Enjoy!