Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Hand-Dyed Roving And Silks

Hand-dyed roving.

 


Hand-dyed silk gauze (microwave method).

 


Silk that was dyed, wrapped in plastic wrap and steamed to set the color.

 


Dyed silk chiffon scarves and silk gauze yardage.

 


As you can see, we were quite the prolific little dyers last week...

...and I'm delighted to report that my biggest fear went unrealized...

...(that my wool roving would felt during dyeing).

I'm always a little unnerved by chemical dyes, but we were very careful...

...and since the icing dyes didn't worry me at all...

...I was much less cautious, and still have stains on my hands to prove it! :)

I think I prefer the speedier methods of microwaving in a dish or a ziplock baggie...

...to the more traditional 'steam in an enamel pot' method...

...but...in the summer at least...solar dyeing is quite nice, too!

Next time: What I did for yarn! :)

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21 comments:

WonderWhyGal said...

Beautiful colors! I have to admit, I prefer the microwave too. What will you create with all of the silk? Will you nuno-felt?

Anonymous said...

Really wonderful colours - what are you going to do with them now you have them?

Unknown said...

Oh! Yum! What lovely light fresh colors, Heather! And such a great stash to dip into now! Looking forward to seeing what these pieces become!

primdollie said...

didn't we have fun!! hehehe! love it all! can't wait to see what you dye next!!!xoxoxo L

Kelly said...

Dyeing is sooo much fun! You have some pretty colors to show for your work. The silk is GORGEOUS!! I wonder what you are going to make........

Heather Woollove said...

Andrea and Rachel--If I can wrest them away from my daughters who want to wear them 'as is'!, I think I'll nuno felt them. :)
Thanks, Fiona and Kelly!
Linda--I have you to thank for these pretty pieces. I'll let you know when I try dyeing on my own!!

swig said...

I'm impressed! such beautiful colors! Great!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Swig!! XXO-

FeltersJourney said...

Veeery pretty Heather, cant wait to see what you do with them!
xx

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Deborah!

Happy Mommy said...

They turned out deliciously! We had such a great time last weekend at our potluck. I hope we can do it again.

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Leann! I agree---it was a wonderful evening! XXO-

Marushka C. said...

Oh no, now I'm going to want to dye silk! I love how yours came out.

Heather Woollove said...

Mary--Thanks! It's not hard...you should try it!

Anonymous said...

wow you have been really bussy!! love the results... hugs,Kim

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Kim!! It was a really fun day of dyeing and spinning. We got a lot done in a short time!! XXO-

Janee Lookerse said...

WHOA I love that first photo of the roving! It looks GORGEOUS!

xoxo
Janee

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Janee!

Deneen said...

Oh, how did you steam the roving itself where it didn't felt (fear of mine too). I have some silk scarves, now you've made me consider dyeing some of them. Did you do those in the microwave also? (Love McCormick Neon dyes, BTW)

Heather Woollove said...

Deneen--Believe me, I am not an expert on dyeing AT ALL! We steamed some roving in plastic wrap, keeping it elevated (out of the water) on crumpled foil balls.
I think the microwave method works best, and yes, I did some of the silks in there. There are lots of internet tutorials on how to do this...in ziplock bags, even!

Heather Woollove said...

Deneen--Check this out (newly posted!):http://mypoppet.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-dye-wool-fleece.html