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.