Yes, it is snow dying time again. We ended up with a couple of inches and that means it is time to snow dye. I love watching the snow melt and the colors happen. The above pile of snow received a rainbow of dye colors.
Greens, Blues, and Yellows, I think. Once they start to melt it can be a challenge to figure out what colors I used.
Ever wondered how Over Dying happens? I elevate my drip trays about 1 to 1 1/2 inches, using scrap lumber. I should note that everything gets dye on it, so the scrap lumber now stays in my studio. Melted snow changes and varies in color, surprises happen.
Fire – Red, Orange, and Yellows are ready for their rinse.
Earthtones ready for their rinse. Grass, twigs or gravel do not affect the color.
Snow Dyed Orange Rainbow
Over Dyed Kingdom Idd
Snow Dyed Purple Fan
You can see more Snow Dyed and Over Dyed pieces on my website.
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Experiment Continue!
It all starts with PFD fabric, glass marbled, rubber bands and a good movie.
After time in the dye buckets, a couple of rinses, the marbled and rubber bands must come out. My hands turn interesting colors, but wears off in a few days.
Navy Blue Rayon Top.
One Half of the three yard piece of Blue/Green.
Detail of Blue/Green
One Half of the three yard piece of Violet/Turquoise.
Detail Violet/Turquoise
Silk Scarf. Silk is a bit of a challenge to work with.
Playing with Dye & Things
Playing with Dye and things – What more can I say. Having to be off of my ankle is leaving me with idle hands. So a few experiments are in the works. The fabric is actually a deep dark purple, bad lighting.
Marbling Begins
I have been busy dying fabric to marble. I have two large piles of fabric dyed, thought I had best get started on the marbling part. Here is a glimpse into the marbling process. River Rocks – this is how the marbling base looks after I drop the paints onto the surface. The paint expands and I can drop the fabric at this stage or carry on.
The first step in moving the paint and creating a design is always Gel-Git which means back and forth. It is the foundation for most marbling designs.
Followed by Cascade. I use a selection of custom made rakes and combs, different widths 1/4″ to 3″ gaps.
I can go several ways at this point, this piece turned into Dragon Wing. This is one of my original designs and the name is because everyone sees some sort of wing it the design.
The first three days of color are Cerulean, Purple and Teal. The colors are always darker when the are wet. Some colors are opaque, others are transparent, that may call for adjusting and fiddling with the colors a bit. I also have started using a clear Iridescent paint, because it is clear it allows the hand dyed fabric color to shine thru for more drama.
Room for twenty pieces per day.
They get to drip dry over night, followed by a two week rest to cure.
Just Updated My Cover Photo
Yep, here and at my Facebook Page. It is now an extreme close up of Emotion Red in the Waved Feathers Design. I am just about to start dying the fabric to be hand marbled. Always a ton of fun. Dreaming of new colors.
Dragonfly & Ginkgo Leaf Jacket
The Dragonfly and Ginkgo Leaf Jacket is one of the first pieces of clothing I made using paintstiks and stencils. It was the most nerve racking by far. I had just enough Hand Dyed Fabric to make the jacket, any mistakes could have been fatal.
The dragonflies are all done using Iridescent Silver, with a few having Iridescent Dark Blue bodies.
The Ginkgo leaves were more of a challenge. Matte Beige was used as a primer, followed by Matte Sap Green and Meadow Green. I used Iridescent Gold for a light wash over to top to add just a little sparkle.
Falling Leaves Jacket
Falling Leaves is one of my favorite jackets, it is easy to wear and it has pockets. It is also a paintstik project that evolved, it started as a simple jacket and ended up rather dramatic, never fails to attract attention.
The original panels are the ones you see on Hand Dyed Gold fabric. I uses a wide variety of leaf and vine stencils, Matte Sap Green and Meadow Green with a light wash of Iridescent Copper on the edges for the panels. Below is a close-up of the back panel.
The black (Left Side) of the jacket is were it received it name, I was walking in the wood with the dogs and saw the leaves falling and knew that was the way to finish the jacket. The same paintstik colors but on black this time.
Mount Baker Ski Area is Open
And why is that important? Because Mike brought me home four coolers full of snow to play with. New snow dyed pieces are on the way.