Saturday was more temperate, then it got right cool again on Sunday. Gusty winds were also a problem some of the time. However, we persevered nicely and ended up with a fine collection of dyed materials. This photo shows the pinks and yellows that I washed and dried today. We had pretty good results with the cochineal bugs I brought home from Oaxaca last fall, using plain cochineal for a pinky-red, cochineal with lime juice for an orangey red, and then adding baking soda for a purply-red. So we had three vats of cochineal going. and were able to get the dye to move up the wet fabric to make gradations on some fibers. The indigo was slower to react than usual, I think due to the cool weather. We tried a couple of new dyes: something called goatsbeard from New Mexico that gave a yellowish gray, and a nut whose name I've forgotten that made a greenish gray color. Also had madder(pink/orange/red), green hulls of black walnuts (dark brown), brazil wood (magenta), osage orange wood (yellow), sandalwood (orange-ish), and avocado pits (light coral). To make green without using toxic chemicals we dye fiber yellow, then dip it into the indigo pot. A lot of the colors look very bright when dyed, but become softer when rinsed and even more muted after washing and drying.
Pink and yellow fabrics washed and dried FF2013 Last weekend was spent in Huntsville at the Sam Houston Folk Festival, once again dyeing fabrics and yarns with natural materials in conjunction with friend Pam McManus. Friday was cold--low 40s--and while we explained the dyes to almost 4000 school kids, we had to warm up the dye solutions to make the colors take (and to put our hands in, so we could maintain circulation!) We were tucked into our warmest woolen shawls, with layers underneath our costumes, and for the first time I was grateful for my sunbonnet to keep my ears warm. Saturday was more temperate, then it got right cool again on Sunday. Gusty winds were also a problem some of the time. However, we persevered nicely and ended up with a fine collection of dyed materials. This photo shows the pinks and yellows that I washed and dried today. We had pretty good results with the cochineal bugs I brought home from Oaxaca last fall, using plain cochineal for a pinky-red, cochineal with lime juice for an orangey red, and then adding baking soda for a purply-red. So we had three vats of cochineal going. and were able to get the dye to move up the wet fabric to make gradations on some fibers. The indigo was slower to react than usual, I think due to the cool weather. We tried a couple of new dyes: something called goatsbeard from New Mexico that gave a yellowish gray, and a nut whose name I've forgotten that made a greenish gray color. Also had madder(pink/orange/red), green hulls of black walnuts (dark brown), brazil wood (magenta), osage orange wood (yellow), sandalwood (orange-ish), and avocado pits (light coral). To make green without using toxic chemicals we dye fiber yellow, then dip it into the indigo pot. A lot of the colors look very bright when dyed, but become softer when rinsed and even more muted after washing and drying. Usually we dye whatever white goods are sitting around in our studios. This year I also had some PFD cotton which is mainly intended for use with chemical dyes, but it took the color beautifully. It will be fun to sew with these pieces during the coming year. I have plans for a jacket for my sister in law, and possibly one for me. There's a commission jacket waiting also, but it will use more intense colors, so I'll probably stick with commercial fabrics. In any case, I need to finish the church hangings first as Trinity/Ordinary Time is coming soon.
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AuthorBobbe Shapiro Nolan, Fiber Artist in Eagle Lake, TX. Trying to learn to call the sewing room my studio, and myself an artist. I retired after 15 years in hospice nursing--so now I have the time!. Archives
July 2021
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