Well, I finished last week’s quilt-as-you-go sample and it turned out really good. I was inspired: finally, I’ve found a solution to a problem that’s been dogging me a while. I started straightening up my quilt piece:
Here it is, nice and even:
I needed some fabric that would make a good border, so I made up a new batch of dye concentrates, I think I mix up the same 7–8 most of the time:
And out to my wet studio I go…..ha ha ha:
I sponged on layers of dye; the fabric was soaked in soda ash water first, then wrung out. The initial dye application was blurry, but as the fabric dried (remember, it’s very dry and hot here) the sponge marks became more distinct. This is what the fabric looked like mid-way through the process:
Here’s the fabric as it rests for a few hours to let the dye work it’s way into the fabric even more:
I also dyed some black and white fabric for the binding. This fabric turned out really interesting, it looks almost skeletal: this is just one piece of fabric scrunched and dyed in black dye:
I attached strips of batting to my quilted piece, then made my quilt sandwich with fabric on the back, batting, and now strips of my newly dyed fabric; here’s how it looked as I was assembling it:
And here it is now that I’ve machine quilted 3 sides of it:
One more piece to go, then I’ll attach the strips and voila, I think I’ll have found the perfect setting for my desert marigolds.
… looks great!!
It may look great….but it’s taking so much of my time. Just had all 9 of my mom’s siblings in town for my grandmother’s memorial service in St. David…..it’s been hectic. Thanks as always…..we have to share some time soon!