And Finally...

After a full week of putting colour into fabric on the last day we looked at discharging colour. these three products were used, Finish dishwasher detergent (5% bleaching agent), Jacquard discharge paste and deColourant paste. All three looked identical in the pots (thick white paste) so on the initial samples some very clever ladies wrote F, J, D (why had I never thought of that?)

Discharging colour from fabrics is never an exact science and as predicted some fabrics discharged at quite a fast pace whilst others remained dark.

You can discharge colour from any fabric, it doesn't have to be black or navy. This dark burgundy below was printed on with a shell stamp to remove the colour.

After playing with the pastes and a magnificent faith lunch organised by the students we moved upstairs to make a quick sketchbook cover.

They were all fantastic and this one made by Wendy shows off some of her shibori painted fabrics. Blogger has just turned this sideways so just tilt your head!

If you want to join me next year for a week of dyEing, painting and creating your own unique and individual fabrics then just contact me for more information.

Summer School - Day Three & Four

Day three and the sun continued to shine. We explored a relatively new product called cold water batik wax.  This looks a little bit like PVA glue and was able to be brushed and stamped onto cotton

Once dry, which was very quick today we painted over the top with procion dyes.

These pieces were steam fixed to both set the colour and melt the wax.

Wednesday afternoon saw everyone painting their own threads to be used in future projects with fabric paints.

Thursday was painted shibori. We used a pole wrapped technique and then applied fabric paints for some stunning results.

Everyone created so many fabulous pieces of work that a longer washing line was needed. This just doesn't show the colours achieved.

In the afternoon we explored the effects of adding fabric paint to a stitched and quilted surface.

Summer School Day Two

Last Tuesday was another hot day and we managed to again be outside. This time we used transfer or disperse dyes. These are dyes that are painted onto paper and then ironed onto polycotton or synthetic fabrics. The heat transfers the dyes and you end up with much brighter results than you get on the paper.

 We used the painted papers to make some book covers for some hand stitched books.

 The books below were made by Wendy. I love her skinny book with a pencil attached.

Day three tomorrow.

Summer School 2012 - Day One

Last week I had my first Summer School at the studio. These are the intrepid ladies who joined me for the week. The class of 2012! I had intended to blog daily once home but I was also trying to complete my Festival of Quilts entry which had to be posted by the end of last week.

These photos were all taken last week. On Monday we used played with procion dyes and used several different techniques to apply the dye to the fabric.

I had a large wet weather plan but didn't anticipate the weather being quite so warm.

After all the cold and rain it was nice to stay in the sunshine but I forgot to put suntan lotion on the list.

After lunch we made mixed media postcards. These are quite addictive and I am always impressed that none look the same, reflecting individual skill, taste and talent.