Alex and Ricky learn about natural dyeing from Kim Eichler-Messmer, a fiber professor at the Kansas City Art Institute. Recently Kim has focused on eco-friendly dyeing by using a natural and ancient dyeing (plants, nuts, insects, minerals) method. Kim uses freshly picked marigolds from her yard to dye a batch of fabric a lovely yellow. While the fabric dye "cooks" she shares examples of different colors and patterns that can be achieved using these natural dyes. Alex and Ricky learn more about Kim's background and they take a look at her quilts.
Kim shares improv piecing with a serger. She has done a fair amount of garment construction using the serger and now is including the tool in her quilting tool box. She shares a fun technique for stabilizing lamé that is then sewn together with her hand-dyed fabric in ‘chunks' and strip sets. Strip sets are then cut apart and chain pieced together to build an improv quilt top where bits of lamé peek out randomly amongst hand dyed fabric. She shares examples of quilts using serged lamé blocks (with the finished edge on the front of the quilt) for an added bit of texture and interest. Then it’s time to take the marigold fabric out of the cook pot to reveal the intense yellow color.
Then it's time to learn how to unlock the Lone Star Quilt with Judy Martin. Judy loves math and the challenges of working with complex star quilts. A writer of 23 quilting books, she and Ricky build and share variations that can be achieved when it comes to one of the most beloved blocks…the Lone Star. Using one very large WIP quilt, it becomes a game of shuffle and discover as the viewers watch the myriad of possibilities when pieces are flipped, shuffled or turned. Judy shares completed Lone Star quilts revealing more color combination examples.
Alex and Ricky learn about natural dyeing from Kim Eichler-Messmer, a fiber professor at the Kansas City Art Institute.
Kim shares improv piecing with a serger and a fun technique for stabilizing lamé.
Judy Martin builds and shares variations that can be achieved with the Lone Star block with Ricky.
Thank you, Alex, Ricky and your team for continuously giving us these fantastic guests and making us realise that we can all broaden our horizons.
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