Monday, June 20, 2011

What A Week We Had!!

Jars and roving ready for solar dyeing.

 


Shibori dyeing silk with icing dyes.

 


Small glass accent gems tied into a silk scarf.

 


Silk chiffon with dye applied, waiting for the microwave.

 


My friend, Linda was here for five days last week...

...and boy, did we have fun!!

We each made a couple of felted bags, spun locks into yarn (with a wheel!)...

...and tried several different methods of dyeing wool roving and silk.

We even had a surprising and unique encounter in a discount fabric store...

...when we got to chatting with a woman in line at the cutting table...

...who sews teeny-tiny costumes for exotic dancers (strippers)!

(...and yes...she tells us that the fabric she buys must be very stretchy!!) Giggle.

Linda showed me how to use both 'acid' and 'icing' dyes...

...and we steamed, microwaved...

...and even cached jars of roving, water, vinegar and dye in my hot car for a day!!

I sewed several scarves into packages for Shibori dyeing...

...and even stitched little flat marbles into a scarf, prior to dyeing, for a tie-dyed look.

Next time: photos of some of our finished work!

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20 comments:

Unknown said...

Can't wait to see your finished results! What a great week this sounds like. And so nice to be able to share fibre fun with a visiting friend!

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, Fiona! Maybe a fun visit like this is the next logical step in the sense of connectedness that you and I have been talking about...women relating to each other through the ages and still today...through the fiber arts!

Becky Utecht said...

What fun!Looking forward to your finished photos.

Heather Woollove said...

Becky--They look a lot different than these crazy 'before' photos, that's for sure!! I think the pyrex full of silk looks like a Carvel cake with day-glo icing! :)

WonderWhyGal said...

ooooooh! Beautiful colors and textures. I can't wait to see the creations...and see some of your handspun yarn.

Anonymous said...

Solar dyeing? That sounds intriguing!

Heather Woollove said...

Andrea--Thanks! The colors look a lot less garish after dyeing, thankfully. :)
Rachel--Solar dyeing does sound fancy, doesn't it? The reality is much more prosaic than the name though...it's pretty much just sticking jars in a hot car for a day! :)

Kelly said...

It looks like you ladies were BUSY!!! I bet you had a blast! I cannot wait to see the rest of the pictures.

Pinkknitter said...

Wow, does your time together sound fun!!! Having time together with a friend who enjoys creativity & is supportive ... it's like a dream. I can't wait to see more photos.

Heather Woollove said...

Kelly--Yes, it was terrific!
Shelly--You're right! It's rare and wonderful when we can take time from our lives to create together, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Dying to see your pics Heather, pretty bad joke though, huh??? XXX

Anonymous said...

It looks like you had a great time with the dyeing. Love the colors too. So bright and cheerful and festive! Just like you are. :)

Heather Woollove said...

Nicola--I always love a good pun!!
XXO-
Sandie--Thanks! They are festive, aren't they?

FeltersJourney said...

Sounds like a wonderful, fun & productive week :)
xx

Heather Woollove said...

Deborah--Start saving your pennies so you can come for a felting 'retreat', too!! XXO-

primdollie said...

Oh my didn't we have a grand time! all my pics are posted to flickr or FB so far! blog will be next! have a artsy swap thing tonite so watch tomorrow for a new blog post!! Thnx so very much again I hope to do this again .....soon!! hehehe! miss you mucho! xoxo L

Heather Woollove said...

Linda--I miss you, too!! XXOOO-

primdollie said...

sending hugs!! miss you dear and love all the pretty pics! I finally posted on my blog too today!!! xoxoxo

Janee Lookerse said...

What an adventure! I'm sure that woman had some seriously interesting stories...

xoxo
Janee

Heather Woollove said...

Janee--Yes...it was quite an interesting conversation!