eco printing

I've been reading India Flint's two books on eco dyeing, dipping in over the past two years or so, drooling over the wonderful colours obtained from plants, and dyed using sustainable earth friendly methods.    Never quite had the courage to 'just do it'.

Another fabulous blog Threadborne  has two posts on using irises for eco printing.   I was inspired to have a go.    My friend Hilary supplied a bag of purple flag iris, so no time to lose.

iris 'juice' on paper  

bundle preparation

the bundle

the steamer, plus eucalyptus bark and leaves soaking to release the dye

the reveal 

the dark bits come from 'found' metal washers and a nail -  the bark and eucalyptus 

were gathered on wanderings in Greece and India - there's bits of tea light metal, 

plus other leaves, and flowers from the garden.

Conclusion, and things learnt.    The iris were going 'soft' hence the Monet dreamy colours;  one brown iris which was freshly picked, gave a better impression, as did a rose leaf.   Next time, yes, there will be one, I shall use stronger string to hold the bundle tighter and maybe steam a little longer.   Not bad for a first attempt!

a bit of this and a bit of that

Another busy week.

Last Saturday the Procion dyeing workshop.   It was steamy hot, producing very vibrant colours.    Some very interesting bundles of dyed cloth produced.   A lovely day all round.

After spending the morning on shibori pieces,  the afternoon was spent tray dyeing and
various methods of producing patterns by folding and tying.

the good old hippy swirl - always impresses!

flag folding with rubber band resist

and the splat cloth using left over dyes

I think I can see a herbaceous border in there!

I took the opportunity of topping up my threads, this time with greens and blues, and a couple of oranges.

 I also dyed up some thread for a special order.   Taking the colour from a 'one off' spool I did some colour mixing and came up with a very good match.   The heat was brilliant for dyeing, instead of a mid plumb I ended up with a rich Yummy Plummy, much nicer!    Sold and gone to a good home!

Meanwhile, in the garden flag irises were beginning to open.    Purple and yellow we thought.   Surprise, surprise

chocolate brown,  yellow and cream - good enough to eat

On Monday a workshop with a local group on Indian Applique.    The lovely ladies worked hard producing samples of various methods which will, hopefully(!) be put together as a finished piece.   I love seeing students interpretations of a technique and taking things further.   I think we all learn a lot on such a day.

This weekend I have to dismantle my shelves, and their contents, in the conservatory in readiness for a new roof being fitted on Monday.  A good chance to go through the boxes and pots for a bit of a clear out.   That's going to be fun!   

Next Saturday a trip to North Dorset to take an Indigo workshop.   Sun dances all round.  I think it is going to be hot.  Hope so!

glorious days 

at evening time the honeysuckle fills the air with perfume

amazingly this African daisy survived the winter weather

five doves talking - another name for aquilegia

I plan to spend most of the day in the garden, just pottering.  Maybe some stitching under

the sun.  Bliss.

bloomin' Spring

more green

raindrops on Alchemellia mollis

and now for the May Journal Quilt - direct from the sewing machine

Bloomin' Spring

Mono printed fabrics on an old sheet, painted papers, little stamps made for 

printed daises and buttercups, and, of course, a garden label fashioned from  

the tea light.  Lots of free machine stitching, and one or two French knots.    

It's been ages since my  sewing machine has had such a workout.

Next little task is to clear up my working area!   So much paper, threads, bits of

fabric - you get the picture!   Oh yes, mustn't forget to clean and oil my trusty

sewing machine.   Perhaps it also deserves a new needle!

Ingredients

I had a grand time with my Gelli plate, textile paints and acrylic inks.   Mark making on fabric and painting tissuetex paper.

the paper was placed on bubble wrap interesting shapes revealed

the ingredients 

now, I am not known for embracing 'green' I'm more of a 'brights' person  

guess it's looking out on the lush fresh foliage in the garden that is influencing me

the tea light?   it will play a part when I get down to constructing the Journal Quilt

right now it's out with the dye pots

hello world!

the last three weeks have passed in a blur

so, what have I been doing?

dyeing lots of these, plus fabric

to keep up with demand

My little emporium has been out and about.   First to the Dorset Quilters Day, and then
on Saturday an appearance at the SW Embroiderers Guild's Festival Day in Marlborough.

I will spare you pictures of lots of little bags being filled with beads, sequins, metal jingly bits, shisha and other goodies gathered on my travels

Both shows were great and I got to meet up with fellow stitchers I haven't seen in a while.

Two summer workshops here at home.  The first one on what to do with all that dyed fabric
produced last summer.    We did get a little sidetracked after looking at contemporary quilts, experiments with paper lamination were included in the workshop.    I love taking workshops at home, the day can meander in unexpected ways.

Indian applique with a great group of students - four had recently returned from a trip to Rajasthan and Gujarat,  a very Indian atmosphere indeed.   Lovely work produced by all those busy stitching fingers.

As you may imagine, cupboards and drawers were delved into over the past weeks. 

a little treasure lost, but now found

I need to have a major spring clean in there, which might include a pot or two of paint!    

My little room is bursting at the seams.

But first I have to get dyeing again.  I'm giving a talk at Romsey Quilters on Tuesday, taking along some of my quilts, Indian textiles and the travelling emporium.

Today I managed to 'play'.   My Gelli plate was unwrapped and put to use, printing fabric and papers for this month's Journal Quilt.   Must keep an eye on the date, hard to believe it's coming up to the end of the month!    I can see a busy weekend ahead.

My next Summer Workshop at home is on 8 June - Procion dyeing.   A couple of places left.

Contact me if you are interested.

April JQ

All done, thank goodness.   Since my theme is Recycling, what could be better than using some of the offcuts from my Kurta Quilt?

The method I chose for making the 2"block was foundation piecing, using paper.   Haven't done this for years, and it was a very messy business! 

                                                                     Leftovers Quilt

Now it's time to play with Ben.   We have some drawing to do first, then we might do some gardening together before Daddy arrives and Granddad comes back from golf.