SAQA Conference Here I Come!

I'm off to the SAQA conference... I'm having studio withdrawals already! I'll come back with energy and inspiration to dye, dunk and manipulate fabric! I ordered 2 bolts of white fabric which should be waiting for me when I return.... swoon! 

Combining Techniques = Confetti and Ice Dyed Fabric

I love creating textured fabric and the confetti dye technique lends itself perfectly to this effect. Incorporating ice dyeing in the next step adds a depth to the piece that I find really unique. 

I began by making gentle vertical folds in damp fabric. Don't forget to soak the fabric in soda ash and water for at least 30 minutes before you start! Next shake dye across the surface of the fabric with a strainer, (I used black). I like to go back and spray the fabric with soda ash and water just to get the dye to meander more deeply into the folds of the fabric. Once dry I rinsed and washed as usual and then tossed it back into the bucket of soda ash and water to prep for the ice dye bath. I could have stopped here because the fabric had the suggestion of birch trees but I decided to go for the ice bath! 

After 30 minutes I wrung out the excess water and scrunched the fabric into a bucket. I  covered the surface with ice. Next I sprinkled dye powder over the ice, (I used brown). This step requires more patience because you need to allow time for the ice to melt. Once that happens you can rinse and wash your fabric to get rid of the excess dye... viola! 

Try this combination of techniques with any color palette that appeals to you - the textures are wild! 

NOTE: ALWAYS WEAR A MASK WHEN WORKING WITH DYE POWDER! 

Upcoming SAQA National Conference = Fabric for Sale!

I'm delighted to be participating as a vendor at the upcoming SAQA "Capitalizing on Fiber" national conference next week! The vendor mall is open from 12 - 5 on May 1st so please be sure to stop by to say hi and fondle some fabric... you know you can't resist the textures! 

The conference is May 1 - 4 with exciting speakers, workshops and time for networking. How cool to have so many fiber lovers in one place to chat and share ideas!

Crown Plaza

Alexandria, VA 

May 1 - 4

Green Circles.... Mmmm... What To Do?

I created a 3 yard piece of ice dyed cotton. I had this idea about sponging varies shades of green circles cascading down the length of the piece. So... it's not quite resembling the image I had in my head! I'm going to keep it on the design wall to see where it leads to next. 

Any suggestions?

To be continued...

Art Cloth vs. Art Quilt

I've been experimenting with my style as a fabric artist and seem to be gravitating towards producing Art Cloth vs an Art Quilt. As an artist our craft needs to appeal emotionally and be so exciting you can't wait to keep going! I feel that way when I'm creating fabric. I like the way the cloth hangs and flows with a slight breeze and it's less taxing for me to complete a piece. 

Don't get me wrong - I also love designing Art Quilts and when the textures come alive with the quilting it is without question a fabulous treat... but... I have to go where my passion takes me and at the moment it's with Art Cloth.

The below piece is titled, "Pond Ice" and is 41" X 16.5". I began with 100% cotton and painted the fabric surface and then ice dyed. To achieve the crackled surface I used the flour resist technique. I made the leaf stencils by tracing leaves from the yard and I lightly sponge painted the leaves. To create depth I added a few layers of tulle to the completed piece. 

Pond Ice - detail

Pond Ice
41" X 16.5"

Morning Sky Inspirations!

Over the weekend my days started with a beautiful view of the morning sky. It's such a luxury to lay snuggled under the quilt and slowly start the day - the opposite of how I start my weekdays. This was calm and meditative allowing time to contemplate the projects for the day.

I created a number of fabrics over the past few days including this pink and blue painted piece. This was the morning sky I woke up to .... calm and soft!

I began with 100% cotton painting pink across the surface. I scrunched up the fabric and skimmed blue paint across the peaks and left it in the sunshine to dry. Once dry I pressed with an iron to heat set and voila - a calm and peaceful morning sky! 

This fabric is 100% cotton and was dyed combining the confetti and ice dyed techniques. The day was nice and warm so I brought the fabric outside and sprinkled dye powder across the treated surface. Next I hung on the line and sprayed with treated water allowing the dye to run down the surface. Once it was dry I stuffed the fabric into a bucket and ice dyed it. The result was a stormy look which is how this morning started!

What sky's inspire you?