Finished my Marbling and have move to making samples of new Patterns. Mandarin Collar is Kwik Sew K4195. This is the Vest Version. Personally I think it is a Sleeveless Top. Went for bright and fun fabrics, Snowed Dyed Fabric, one Yard piece and 1 5/8 Yards of Hand Dyed Forest Green for size Large.
I found the Mandarin Collar to be a fairly easy pattern to put together. As I have a new sewing machine there was a bit of a learning curve and just getting used to the machine.
When I do samples for my booth I try very hard to sew as the pattern is written. But the way the directions had you do the Sleeve Opening, was not to my liking at all. Instead I found my self using hand made Bias Tape (Snow Dyed Fabric) for the finish. I also had five of the Copper and Silver buttons, so five buttons rather then the suggested four.
Loved using my Snowed Dyed fabric for the Contrast.
Hope you are inspired!
It just makes me happy to see the finished Wallhanging. Please note it can also be used as a table runner.
Please be aware that with Snow Dyed Fabrics no two pieces are ever the same. I dye three yards of fabric in one pile of snow, sometimes they come out looking like cousins, other times they look like they are from different planets. And trying to create a repeat is really an exercise in futility, it never works. My suggestion is, find a Snow Dyed piece that speaks to you and go from there.
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.
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
Several years ago my dear friend Mary asked for assistance with making a T-shirt quilt for her husband Jeff. The majority of the T-shirts were from Alaska so Mary wanted to use my snow dyed fabric. We spent the afternoon selecting several yard sized pieces that went well together.
Might I say at this point that Mary is not a quilter and had no idea what she was getting into. We started by stabilizing the t-shirts and then arranging them for the quilt top. As we lived four hours apart Mary found help in her area for assembling the quilt top. She sent me a sample of the color for the drops and I created a custom hand dyed color for the quilt.
Mike & I just made a trip to Montana to visit Mary & Jeff. While admiring the quilt I noticed that not all of the basting had been removed. I thought that it was only appropriate that I finish the quilt Mary and I had started. It turned out beautifully.
Miss Molly loves snow and if you think she is patiently waiting, we have already been for our walk and sh want to go again. We were without power last night, read books, went to bed and woke up to power and snow.
I love how snow adds depth and dimension to everything. Filled up the birdfeeder, like to keep our feathered friends happy in the snow.
Amazing how the flakes stick to just about everything.
Yes, this means I will be snow dying today!
I have posted this wall-hanging before. But just to recap many of you said you couldn’t cut you Snow Dyed Fabric. I chose the fabric and my sister Karen put this together for me. And many of you have fallen in love with the idea. Recently I was delighted to see what was inspired by a yard of 
Karin Rainer calls her creation, “Can’t Cut That Fabric”. I think I’m in LOVE! Now I have all sorts of new ideas rolling around in my head. Just wait and see.