Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Hand dyed fabrics...

Our Quilt Bee decided we needed to try dying our own fabric. So one summer morning, about 15 of us gathered at a park with fat quarters of white fabric, buckets and gloves. We had several buckets of dye on the picnic tables and each of us took turns using each color. The lawn area was covered in plastic squares covered in bright colored dyed fabrics drying in the sun. We found that if we crinkled up the fabric, topped it with salt or objects, we would get funky fabrics. Leaves laid on top of the wet fabric or sewing utensils like scissors etc. would leave their own design. It was messy but so much fun. We each went home with stacks of colorful fabrics. We had to let it cure for a few days before we could wash and iron it. I kept it for a couple of years just enjoying the bright colors before I finally found a pattern that I wanted to use. It was a little difficult to make that first cut into fabric that I had dyed but I am so happy with the results. The black background really makes the colors "POP".

I have been reading quilting blogs from around the world. I am attracted to the ones from Norway and Ireland since that is my heritage. Many of the Norwegian ones are also in English. It is really fun to see what is popular in other countries. I would love to be able to go there sometime and see for myself the beautiful country that I now only enjoy in pictures.

5 comments:

María Isabel said...

Hi I from Uruguay, your site is beautiful, lovely quilts, i learn a few time the patchwork, excusme for my english, i speak spanish. greetings
javasa4@hotmail.com

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love your bright colored quilt - fantastic!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

QuiltSue said...

Hello. I've come from the Quilting Bloggers site. I think your hand-dyed fabrics quilt is fantastic, and I loved the Road to Oklahoma too. I will be back to look at more of your quilts too. By the way, I live in England too, like one of your children.

Kaye and Mike said...

I love this quilt. I just read your "about me" and I realized that you were 62 years old. That can't be!! I'm glad you have others from around the world looking at your quilts and that you've been able to see quilts from Norway and Ireland. You have a real talent.

Launi said...

Your work is just lovely. I've never really quilted, but I may just get brave here any day now.