My main disappointment from class #1 was that too much of the undyed fabric color remained after the dyeing was completed. Marji suggested that I might try to be a little more bold in my dye application.
A couple of years ago I bought the book Tray Dyeing . I had been fascinated by the wonderful effects obtained by dyeing fabric in trays; however, I was somewhat intimidated by some of the measuring techniques and terms in this book. Now, having a little more experience under my belt, I took the things I've learned in Marji's class and combined them with some of the things in the Tray Dyeing book.
When I was in Staples the other day, I came across the perfect "tray" container (pictured below). It measures 13" x 9 " x 3"--and already has a top to cover the dyed fabric while it "cures" (Do I get Staples Rewards for plastic containers? One can hope.). So . . .I cut 3 pieces of prepared fabric into 42" squares. I properly wet each one and folded each into an accordion shape (as I did with the class piece). I then laid each of these in the container with the edges of the fold perpendicular to the bottom of the tray ( you just keep turning the fabric as you get to the opposing sides of the tray). After all of the fabric was positioned (and it will hold at least 3 1/2 yds), I began pouring the dyes--which were tourqouise, yellow and a purplish color--all over the fabric. I sort of tried to determine where the overlapping colors could make more colors. I poured a LOT of dye. I then covered the tray for about 1 1/2 hours and the first piece is the result.
For the second piece, I used the technique I used for the
Hurricane piece. I swirled a 42" square around and around, put it in the tray and poured the dyes, trying to make the yellow the center and working out from there with red and tourqouise. I love this piece even though it somewhat hearkens back to some Arlo Guthrie concerts I've attended.
So, now I'm on a roll. I guess I need to order more fabric.
2 comments:
Judy...I'm getting "dye envy". Dotty
I will have to look for some of these when I go to Staples. You have reawakened my "dyeing" bug.
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