Some of Chad's sample scarves in different colourways.
'Our' dyepot. :)
Stitching the 'once dyed' scarf.
Pulling the strings tight.
After overdyeing and removing the strings...
...the finished scarf...
...both visually and texturally bark-like!
At the Creative Felt Gathering this year...
...I was lucky enough to take two dyeing classes with the amazing Chad Alice Hagen.
In this class, we made one of her famous bark scarves...
...using Japanese shaped resist dyeing techniques (Shibori).
Our group used chestnut dye for our first 'dip'...
...a notorious 'splitter' which, interestingly, turned into many colors after dyeing.
Then, after an afternoon of quite daunting hand-stitching...
...we were ready for the second dye pot.
As you can see...
...I used a lovely red for my second 'dip'.
The fun thing about this scarf is that it both looks and feels like bark when you're through...
...making it a special addition to any fall or winter wardrobe!
13 comments:
It's really interesting the chestnut looks blue-gray after the second dye pot. Who would have thought it would come out that way? Have you ever looked at India Flint's eco-dye work? She wraps leaves and things up in the fabric to dye.
It's gorgeous. And you have my mind churning about how many ways I can play with that kind of technique -- with yarn, with fabric (happy sigh).
Thanks for sharing!
I have wanted to try shibori for a long time but not really dared.... I borrowed some books at the library but it sort of had "Don`t try this at home folks" written all over it. But this didn`t look scary or difficult at all. Try on my own or take a class thats the question. Whats your advice Heather?
I like your shibori technique. I have to find a workshop to learn it too. Yor scarf is really gorgious, very strong :) hugzzz..peebee
Elizabeth--Yes..India Flint's work is awesome!!
Mary--Thanks!
Jeanette--Try it! Just keep your felt from boiling.
Peebee--Thanks!
Natural dyes produce such a fabulous range of effects, don't they!
Rachel--I think this is an example of English vs. American English (grin). Here, we wouldn't call Prochem acid dyes 'natural' dyes, exactly...but I am guessing that 'natural' for you is as opposed to 'eco' or some other word?!?!
Anyway--yes...I really liked how the one tiny spoonful of chestnut dye 'split' into so many wonderful colors!!! XXO-
Thanks Heather for your long comment at my place! I will definitely give it a try!
Jeanette--You're welcome!
dyeing is fun isn´t it? I learned it in Calicut India.... Great result!
Thanks, Kim! I want to do more, but haven't yet found the time.
I love it! I've never seen anything quite like it before, but I am very impressed! What a beautiful scarf. :)
Sandie--It was a very long project to make...not something I would do very often...but learning the technique was quite valuable!!
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