Jun
09
12
I finally dyed a little fabric on one of these fabulous warm and sunny days. Here’s a shot of some yardage drying in the sun:
I’m dyeing these to use as background blocks, so I don’t want a lot of “color action” but instead want some subtle mottling of colors. Each piece of yardage was scrunched into a small amount of liquid dye in one of these tubs:
…and then nuked in the microwave on high for 3 minutes. (If you do this, find an old microwave that will never be used again for food.) Once done, the tub is removed from the microwave and a piece of saran wrap is put on top, so it can “steam” for awhile:
Once it starts developing large condensation droplets on top, I remove the saran wrap so they don’t drip onto the fabric. (This will cause an area to be extra light in color due to the dilutional effect.) I let the fabric sit in the tub for 3-4 hours because this will create lines/ridges of darker color where the dye pools. If I’m not in a hurry, I’d leave it like this overnight, but I’m usually in a hurry. The last step is I spread it out on the driveway. This step is not necessary for the dyeing part of the process but it’s necessary for a lazy person such as myself. This step makes sure each piece is completely dry so I can just throw it into my washing machine. I am too lazy to rinse off the excess dye in the utility sink and working this way, I have a no muss/no fuss washout!
These fabrics are not my usual high saturation colors, as you can see by these 2 stacks:
…but they’ll do fine for what I need them for. And in case you think I’m not doing any sewing, check out this wall hanging I just stitched together this morning…it’s all machine embroidered applique:
…I love it!
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Filed under Machine Embroidered Applique.
I love how you used the tubs for dying, I need to do some dying, especially my wool piles, that would be a nice way to do it. With summer here, I can dye outside, which is nice too.
Love your new piece, I need to practice on my machine and the stitches.
Debbie
Oh Patsy….I’m drooling….those colors are amazing. One day….I’ll do some dying. But first…I have to attend to my other addictions.
Giggles,
Kelly
Beautiful fabrics and very colorful ……AND you are not a lazy person….perhaps the most “un-lazy” person I know!
Hi Patsy,
It’s been awhile since I’ve visited your blog, but I just love your dye process! I haven’t been able to try it out, but one day, I am hoping too.
I still have your email on the subject!
Thank you, for all you do!
-Alice