Virtual Retreat July 2015 - Join Anytime

[Nancy R.]

Renata LOVE the table runner!!!
Rosemary, sounds like my kind of M&Ms haha....would be eating lots of them!
Lotti...I want to go there beautiful!!
I'm working on my Tree quilt for my DIL, and spent yesterday between dyeing and making leaves for the tree. She picked out all the fabric for it, and it is not all cotton, so had to leave the freezer paper on and glue the seam allowance to make it stay pressed. Really flying by the seat of my pants here hmy: and making it up as I go....we'll see what I end up with :blink:
Dorothy

[Nancy R.]

First attempt at hands dyes

[wendy w.]

Dorothy I'm in the middle of a tree quilt, about to cut it up into little pieces so I'll see how it goes. I'm making it A4 size so little leaves are driving me bonkers but I'm doing it the easy way with raw edge applique. Looking forward to seeing yours and your dyed fabrics of course.

The sun's just come out so I can get out in the garden again. Might stick some real leaves on my tree.

[wendy w.]

Cross posted. Your fabrics are lovely, I particularly like the blues.

[Judith A.]

For my virtual retreat right now, I am continuing with dyeing fabric.
I ordered new dyes last night. I found an invoice for some dyes I had on hand and was amazed at how old they were. How time flies. That is probably a primary reason the dye did not bond with the fiber and kept bleeding into the rinse water.
From now on I will write the date on the dye container. Duh.

About the red specks... When I took a dyeing class at Quilt University, we were taught to strain the dye/water paste through knee-high hose. You can usually buy knee-highs inexpensively at the dollar store. We put the knee hose around the opening of a small jar and strain the paste through the hose into the jar.

I take extra care with red, as it seems to be the worst for making specks. Oddly, when I did snow dyeing this winter, and sprinkled dry red dye on top of the packed snow, it made no specks on the fabric under the snow. Can't figure that out.

Dorothy,
'Flying by the seat of one's pants and making it up as you go along' is a springboard for creativity!

Heat index today my part of Virginia is 101. I hope every one can stay cool today.

Kathy, I love the teas you recommended! Think I will make iced tea with them today!!!
Judith

[Judith A.]

just trying this to see if it works now

[Judith A.]

First attempt at hands dyes

Dorothy,
Your first attempt is well on the way!! Yeah for you. Love the colors. Did you keep records of how much dye to water used for stock solution. And how much of it you put onto each piece? I also like those multi colored ones! Great job!
Luann

[Judith A.]

Wendy...My tree quilt is 90x90 hmy:
Judith...I will try that next time thanks, try to stay cool B)

[Judith A.]

Judy,
Thanks for the 'panty hose' info. Not sure where I got the idea of using coffee filters???

Any one out there want a big bag of coffee filters? My Grandkids will come up with a use for them, I'm sure!

This is one very 'sharing' retreat and we are all blessed to be involved.
Luann

[Judith A.]

Kathy, I love the teas you recommended! Think I will make iced tea with them today!!!
Judith

So glad you found them. I have a very hard time finding the licorice tea in stores, but I found out I can order it from Amazon. I have Amazon Prime, so no shipping charges.

Kathy

[Judith A.]

Luann...the light ones were done first, and I mixed salt soda ash and water, then put the dye in that and then added fabric. The brights went to the website you suggested, and did it that way. I like the way you suggested better, and you have more control and don't use/waste as much dye. Thanks so much for your help!!

[Judith A.]

FYI,
The article "Pick a Peck of Pickled Pieces" by Vimala McClure, published in American Quilter, was the most requested artlcle American Quilter ever had. AQS asked her to expand the article into a book, which she did. Fabric Dyeing for Beginners I found a copy at my local library. It is for sale on Amazon. You can read the Table of Contents and the first several pages with Amazon's "Look Inside" option.

Happy quilting,
Judith

[Judith A.]

Dorothy - lovely pastel hand dyed fabrics. Were you just playing with the colors or were you trying to get some colored fabric for a specific project?

Kathy

[Judith A.]

Dorothy - lovely pastel hand dyed fabrics. Were you just playing with the colors or were you trying to get some colored fabric for a specific project?

Kathy

I was just playing :woohoo:

[Nancy R.]

Your fabrics are beautiful, Dorothy!